Antioxidant Activity of Purple Carrot Extract Protects Against Rat Tongue Carcinogenesis Induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive activity of purple carrot extract against experimental oral carcinogenesis.
Methods: A total of 20 male Wistar rats were distributed in four groups, as follows (n = 5 per group): Group 1 (CTRL) – free access to water and commercial diet; Group 2 (4NQO CTRL)– received 4NQO at 50 ppm dose in drinking water daily and commercial diet for 12 weeks; Group 3 (Carrot CTRL)– free access to water and received diet supplemented with purple carrot extract (0.1g / kg); Group 4 (4NQO + carrot)– received 4NQO at 50 ppm dose in drinking water daily and diet supplemented with purple carrot extract (0.1g / kg) for 12 weeks. Histopathological analysis and oxidative status were investigated in this setting.
Results: Histopathological analysis revealed a decreasing number of tongue lesions from animals treated with purple carrot extract when compared to 4NQO control group. Purple carrot extract also reduced the 8OHdG levels in tongue cells when compared to CTRL and 4NQO CTRL groups. Higher gene expression of MnSOD enzyme was noticed in groups treated with purple carrot extract as well.
Conclusions: In summary, our results demonstrate that purple carrot extract is able to protect against experimental oral carcinogenesis by reducing the severity of tongue lesions as well as to prevent genomic oxidative stress in Wistar rats.