Plasma Lipid Lowering Potential of Carrot (Daucus carota) Extract in Male Wistar Rats

Carrots (Daucus carota) are widely consumed for their nutritional and medicinal benefits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Daucus carota on lipid profile. The study involved 28 male wistar rats separated into 4 groups of 7 rats each. Group 1 served as control and was given distilled water, whilst groups 2, 3 and 4 served as test groups and were given aqueous extract of Daucus carota at daily doses of 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 600mg/kg respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days and thereafter, blood samples collected for determination of lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)] using standard laboratory techniques. Results showed that oral administration of all three doses of carrot extracts significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of both TC and TG but caused no significant changes in the LDL levels. However, the higher doses; 400mg/kg and 600mg/kg significantly increased the HDL levels in wistar rats. The lipid lowering potential of Daucus carota could be based on its fibre content as well as its antioxidant content which possibly enhanced fecal excretion of lipids. Conclusively, moderate consumption of Daucus carota decreased the plasma levels of TC and TG, increased HDL but had no significant effect on the LDL.