Evaluation of the Antithrombotic Property of Daucus carota L. (Carrot) Extract

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Platelets are cells that come from the bone marrow which play an important role in the body, specifically, in aiding open wounds along with other blood cells. These platelets stick together to form a clot which is called an aggregation (Berry & Levy, n.d). However, too much blood clot can lead to clogging in the veins and later on, results to other diseases or even death (Healthline, 2018). On the other hand, there are anticoagulant agents that can help to prevent thrombosis.To address this problem, the research study aimed to prove the potentiality of carrots as anticoagulant agent.

METHODS

Daucus carota L. or Carrots were gathered and air-dried for one week. These were soaked in ethanol and were extracted in different concentrations (50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%). Drops of extract were added to the platelet concentrate. Using a phase contrast microscope, the platelet concentration was observed. A spectrophotometer was also used to measure the transmittance of light on the concentrations which showed the number of aggregates that form for each replicates. Aspirin was utilized as a positive control to show if there are significant differences in antiplatelet activity between the control and carrot extract.

RESULTS

Result showed the values of transmittance of extract concentration and positive control aspirin. The higher the transmittance, the lesser the number of aggregates is. The results showed that the 12.5% concentration of the extract has shown antithrombotic activity having the highest transmittance value even higher than the highest concentration of the positive control aspirin which is 50% with a transmittance of 68.97. Results of the statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA testing and Post HOC analysis revealed that there is significant difference between the extract concentrations and the control positive. Thus, it also showed that carrots have higher potential as anticoagulant agent.

DISCUSSIONS

The results suggested that Daucus carota L. (Carrot) has the potential as an antithrombotic agent wherein there is a decrease on the number of aggregates. Thus, this study can be use in the field of medicine to discover other alternative solutions against thrombosis.