ABSTRACT:
Objective: To evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of ethanolic extract of Daucus carota (DC) roots on steroid induced Osteoporosis in rats. Material and methods: Female wistar rats were divided into five groups of (n=6) each. Osteoporosis was induced by intramuscular administration of dexamethasone 7mg/kg once a week for four weeks to all groups of rats except normal control group. Group I served as normal control and received normal saline. Group II served as disease control injected with dexamethasone 7mg/kg (i.m). Group III served as standard control and treated with sodium alendronate 0.2mg/kg orally from 15th to 28th day. Group IV and V were treated with DC at doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg (p.o) respectively from 15th to 28th day. Following treatment, antiosteoporotic effect of DC was evaluated by biochemical and biomechanical analysis and radiological observation along with histopathological examination among the experimental groups. Results: Rats treated with ethanolic extract of DC (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) showed significant (P <0.01and P < 0.001) increase in level of serum calcium and phosphorus, whereas serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001) decreased. A significant (P < 0.001) increase in bone weight, thickness, hardness was observed when compared to the disease control group. It was further confirmed by radiological and histopathological examination of femur bone. Conclusion: The present findings propose that ethanolic extract of Daucus carota possess potent antiosteoporotic activity in steroid induced osteoporotic rats.