Abstract

Asish Bhaumik*, M. Prasad, K. Krishnamachary, Ch. Ram Naresh, B. Maruthi Rao

ABSTRACT

Daucus carota is a biennial plant that grows a rosette of leaves in the spring and summer, while building up the stout taproot that stores large amounts of sugars for the plant to flower in the second year. Soon after germination, carrot seedlings show a distinct demarcation between the taproot and the stem. The latter is thicker and lacks lateral roots. At the upper end of the stem is the seed leaf. The first true leaf appears about 10–15 days after germination. Subsequent leaves, produced from the stem nodes, are alternating (with a single leaf attached to a node, and the leaves growing in alternate directions) and compound, and arranged in a spiral. The leaf blades are pinnate. Taproots typically have a long conical shape, although cylindrical and round cultivars are available. The root diameter can range from 1 cm (0.4 in) to as much as 10 cm (4 in) at the widest part. The root length ranges from 5 to 50 cm (2.0 to 19.7 in), although most are between 10 and 25 cm (4 and 10 in). The main objective of the present research work was to isolate the bioactive molecules and evaluate the in vivo anti inflammatory activity of ethanolic, methanolic and chloroform extracts of carrot (EEC, MEC and CEC) of Daucus carota subsp. Sativus. The Anti-inflammatory activity was performed by Carrageenan induced paw edema method in rats. The present experimental data displayed that all the extracts (EEC and MEC and CEC) of Daucus carota subsp. Sativus very good anti inflammatory activity at 200 mg/kg body weight. All the extracts exhibited highest anti inflammatory activity at 120 min. When compared with standard drug diclofinac sodium (10 mg/kg i.p) it was found that CEC exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity and the percentage protection of EEC and MEC and CEC and standard drug diclofinac sodium for anti inflammatory activity were found to be, 44.95%, 39.18%, 48.64%, 70.27% etc.