Effects of Carrot (Daucus carota) Stalk on Blood Glucose Level, Biochemical Functions and Serum Antioxidant Activity in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and Objective: Carrot (Daucus carota) is a root vegetable and its stalk which is the subject of this study is discarded as waste. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of carrot (Daucus carota) stalk on blood glucose level, biochemical functions, liver histo-morphology and serum antioxidant activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Following the induction of diabetes using alloxan, the animal were treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract and glibenclamide, a standard drug for 21 days. The rats’ biochemical parameter, liver histo-morphology and serum antioxidant activities were examined using standard procedures and analysed by one-way ANOVA using SPSS version 20. The effect of Daucus carotastalk extract on the blood glucose level of the diabetic rats compared favourably with that of glibenclamide from day 0 to 21. Results: The results of the biochemical assays show significant (p<0.05) reduction in liver enzymes (AST) -11.11 and -15.69% relative to alloxan group and -3.6% relative to glibenclamide; while ALT showed -6.82 and -2.38% change relative to alloxan and glibenclamide, respectively. This same pattern was also observed in total bilirubin concentration and also extended to the calculated ratios (AST:ALT, ALT:ALP and AST:ALP) including the serum antioxidant activity. The liver histo-morphological presentation seemingly supports the biochemical parameter results showing possible ameliorative effects. Conclusion: Conclusively, it could be observed that the extract of Daucus carota stalk has antidiabetic properties which are comparable to that of glibenclamide and ameliorated the effects of the hepatic injury caused by alloxan in diabetic rats.