Anti-Dementia Potential of Daucus carota Seed Extract in Rats

Daucus carota Linn. commonly known as “carrot" belongs to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) and is cultivated almost all over the world as a useful vegetable. Carrot is widely consumed as an aphrodisiac and nervine tonic and its scraped root is used as a local stimulant for indolent ulcers. In light of the above, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of D. carota seeds on memory in rats. The ethanolic extract of Daucus carota (DCE) was administered orally in three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) for seven successive days to different groups of young and aged rats. Elevated plus-maze, Hebb-Williams maze and hexagonal swimming pool served as the exteroceptive behavioral models for testing memory. Diazepam-, scopolamineand ageing-induced amnesia served as the interoceptive behavioral models. DCE (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant improvement in memory of young and aged rats by using elevated plus maze, Hebb Williams maze and hexagonal swimming pool. DCE also reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). These finding suggest that D. carota seeds appear to be a promising candidate for improving memory and it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of this plant in the management of Alzheimer patients.