Effects of the ethanolic extract of <i>Daucus carota</i> L. seeds on acetaminophen-induced uremia and antiandrogenicity in male rats

Abstract

This study determined both the secondary metabolites in ethanolic extract of Daucus carota seeds (EEDCS) and its effects on acetaminophen-induced uremia and antiandrogenicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty male rats (161.20 ± 6.02 g) were assigned into four groups (U₁, U₂, U₃ and U₄) such that animals in U₁ and U₂ received orally, 0.5 ml each of olive oil and 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract once daily for 21 days while those in U₃ and U₄ both received orally, 600 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen for 10 days and thereafter administered 0.5 ml of olive oil and 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for additional 11 days.

The extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, steroids and terpenoids. Administration of acetaminophen alone significantly (p<0.05) increased the levels of sodium ions, potassium ions, creatinine, uric acid and urea in the serum of the animals, whereas, the levels of testosterone, glycogen, cholesterol, total protein and sialic acid as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase decreased significantly in the testes of the animals. The extract reversed the acetaminophen-treatment related changes in a manner that was comparable with the rats treated with olive oil and EEDCS only. The study concludes that the ethanolic extract of D. carota seeds has some bioactive principles that conferred antiuremic properties and restored androgenic activities in the animals. Thus, the plant can be explored in the management of uremia and androgen related deficiencies.

Keywords: Acetaminophen, Anti-androgenic, Antiuremia, Apiaceae, Daucus carota