Carrot (Daucus carota) is a globally important root
vegetable with diverse biological activities. Currently, organic cultivation
places a greater focus on ecosystem health by using natural organic fertilisers
and organic pesticides, such as animal and plant-based fertilisers and natural
insecticides, reducing reliance on chemical substances, promoting soil health
and ecological balance, and providing healthier and environmentally friendly
agricultural products. However, research
on the anti-inflammatory properties of carrots, especially comparing
traditionally cultivated and organically grown varieties, remains limited.
Therefore, this study examined the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties
of carrots cultivated using Natural Dream Cultivation (NC), an organic farming
method enhanced with mineral supplementation. The inhibitory effect of NC
carrot extracts on HT-29 human colon cancer cells was assessed via MTT assay,
while qPCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of cell cycle- and
apoptosis-related genes. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was measured using the
Griess method. In LPS-induced mouse splenocytes, levels of inflammatory
cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and natural
killer (NK) cell activity was evaluated via LDH release assay. Results showed
that NC significantly suppressed cancer cell proliferation. It up-regulated the
expression of cell cycle arrest genes (p53, p21) and pro-apoptotic genes (Bim,
Bad, Bax, Bak, caspase-9, caspase-3), while down-regulating anti-apoptotic
genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). Furthermore, NC treatment inhibited NO production and
reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ,
IL-12) in LPS-stimulated splenocytes. NC also promoted NK cell activation. By
elucidating the inhibitory effects on cancer cells and modulation of
inflammatory responses, this study reveals potential mechanisms behind the
anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of carrots. The innovative
mineral-enhanced organic cultivation method presented here offers new
possibilities for developing carrots as a functional food candidate supported
by in vitro and ex vivo bioactivity relevant to cancer- and
inflammation-associated pathways. These findings may inform the future design
of dietary research hypotheses and preclinical studies, pending validation in
animal models and clinical settings.
Author(s) Details
Yanni Pan
Collaborative Innovation Center for Child Nutrition and Health Development,
Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering
Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing
University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science
and Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea.
Yeon-Jun Lee
Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam
13488, Republic of Korea.
Sin-Il Sin
Agriculture Research Center for Carbon Neutral and Healing, Gurye 57607,
Republic of Korea.
Seung-Hwan Park
Agriculture Research Center for Carbon Neutral and Healing, Gurye 57607,
Republic of Korea.
Kun-Young Park
Collaborative Innovation Center for Child Nutrition and
Health Development, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food,
Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional
Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Graduate
School of Integrative Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of
Korea.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH2
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