Phytochemical Constituents of Carrot (Daucus carota) Fruit Juice and its Hepatoprotective Property in CCl4-Induced Liver Cirrhotic Rats

Aim: This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents of Carrot fruit juice (CFJ) and its hepatoprotective property in CCl4-induced liver cirrhotic rats.

Study Design: Sixty male rats of weight ranging from 150-180 g were completely randomized into six groups. All rats were administered 0.5 ml/kg CCl4 subcutaneously thrice weekly except groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 while rats in groups 3 and 6 and groups 4 and 5 orally received 2.5 and 5.0 ml/kg of CFJ on daily basis for 12 weeks.

Results: The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrate, saponin, phenolic compound and tannins. The extract treated groups significantly revealed an increase in liver cirrhotic emaciated body weight and reduction in the liver index, a reversal of liver marker enzymes activities, an increase in enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants with a decrease in malondialdehyde level reduction in C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, alpha-fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Exposure of animal to CCl4 induces oxidative stress, increases the generation of reactive oxygen species and myeloperoxidase activity, and reduces cell viability but was reversed by the CFJ.

Conclusion: The result showed that CFJ is a promising therapeutic option for treating liver failure.