Monday, 2 February 2026

Inhibitory Effects of Differentially Cultivated Carrots on AOM/DSS-Induced Colorectal Cancer Via Modulation of Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Gut Microbiota | Chapter 1 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Background: Carrot (Daucus carota) is a widely consumed vegetable rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. Carrots contain fibre and bioactive phytochemicals that have been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities in preclinical settings. Beta-carotene, a prominent carotenoid in carrots, has been reported to modulate immune-related pathways in experimental models; however, the extent to which these observations translate to reduced colorectal cancer risk in humans remains to be determined.

 

Objective: This study investigated whether cultivation methods influence the bioactivity of carrot extracts in an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced murine model of colitis-associated colon tumorigenesis, with emphasis on apoptosis-related markers, inflammatory responses, and gut microbiota alterations.

 

Methods: Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (~20 g) were maintained under SPF conditions (12-h light/dark cycle; 23 ± 2 °C; 50 ± 5% humidity). After one week of acclimatisation with ad libitum food and water, mice were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 10/group). The normal and AOM/DSS control groups received saline, whereas the Conventional Fertiliser Carrot (CFC), Seawater Fertiliser Carrot (SFC), Trace Element Fertiliser Carrot (TFC), and Deep-sea Water Mineral fertiliser carrot (NFC) groups received the respective carrot extracts (50 mg/mL). Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were quantified and analysed using GraphPad Prism 9.4.1.

 

Results: Among the cultivation conditions tested, carrots produced with deep-sea water mineral fertiliser (NFC) were associated with increased expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins in colon tissue, including p53, p21, Bim, Bad, Bax, Bak, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3. NFC treatment was also associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, NF-κB, and iNOS) measured across serum, spleen cells, and liver tissues. Gut microbiota profiling indicated a compositional shift in carrot-treated mice relative to controls, including increased relative abundance of taxa previously linked to anti-inflammatory or anti-tumour-associated profiles (e.g., Lachnospiraceae and Mucispirillum schaedleri).

 

Conclusion: In this AOM/DSS mouse model, carrot extracts—particularly those derived from carrots cultivated with deep-sea water mineral fertiliser—were associated with reduced tumour-related endpoints alongside coordinated changes in apoptotic and inflammatory markers and gut microbiota composition. These findings support further investigation into cultivation-dependent differences in carrot bioactivity and encourage additional studies to clarify mechanisms and assess translational relevance in humans.

 

 

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, China.

 

Yeon-Jun Lee
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Jin Hyeop Kim
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Min Ji Song
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

KyuBum Kwack

Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Seung-Hwan Park
Organic Anti-Cancer Agriculture Institute, iCOOP Natural Dream Company, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea.

 

Sin-Il Sin
Organic Anti-Cancer Agriculture Institute, iCOOP Natural Dream Company, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea.

 

Ji Hyung Chung
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Kun-Young Park
Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH1

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