Efficacy of carrot extract in Constipation

 

Masniah

 

ABSTRACT:

Carrot is a useful source of vitamins which can improve eyesight, can as a laxative improve digestion by lowering constipation, and can also lower cholesterol content. Carrot apart from containing vitamin B, A, C, E, H, it is the main source of pantothenic acid as well as folic acid. Here we have computed and compared composition of β-carotene, polyphenols as well as antioxidant in a total of five varieties of carrots. Sample carrots were collected, and then homogenized in 50 ml of 80% ethanol and later keenly analyzed for the total of polyphenols, the content of β-carotene present as well as antioxidant activity. Carrot testing was done for β-carotene yield at 60, 20, and 40 degrees Celsius. This was done after harvesting the samples, after cold storage as well as after freezing. About the β-carotene concentrate extraction from carrots, it is evident that the solubility, as well as the yield of β-carotene, depend  upon the temperature as well as time for removal and treatment of the sample

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Constipation is usually regarded as the infrequent passage of small quantities of hard, bowel movements that are considered dry, typically less than thrice a week¹. Other constipated beings experience pain as a result of bowel movements, and the most experience is bloating, straining, as well as a full bowel sensation. Mostly constipation has been viewed as a symptom and not a disease as most people think. Constipation has, at a point in life, been experienced by everyone. Most constipation cases have been temporary, and less serious health issues that can be self-treatable². Most of the constipation victims will get relief by first understanding the causes, its prevention as well as its treatment. In most cases, constipation has been associated with the following: hormonal changes, diet dehydration, excessive use of laxatives, inability to exercise, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer diseases, prescription medication, and stress. Most constipation cases can be self-treated with laxatives, mainly over-the-counter laxatives³.

 

Reported by American Gastroenterological Association shows that approximately $725 million in U.S is spent on laxative products. Common signs and symptoms of constipation include the dry bowel movement, difficult bowel movement, painful bowel movement, small feces, dry feces, hard feces, infrequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fecal straining, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea, absent bowel movement, and nausea. Laxatives refer to those medicines that are either rectally or orally taken to prevent and relieve constipation. Orally taken laxatives may come in the form of tablets, gums, liquids, powders, or wafers. Rectal laxatives are either enemas or suppositories. However, misusing laxatives may lead severe medical complications like bloating, as well as fullness, abdominal pain, esophageal tears, dehydration among much more. Carrots have strong antiseptic qualities and they can as well be used as laxatives.

 

The following are types of laxatives that can be used in the treatment of constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives: these types of laxatives are mainly recommended for the first stage of constipation treatment. These types can work after twelve hours from consumption, or they can at times take as much as three days to be effective. This types of laxatives are derived from natural sources such as agar, carrots, and plant gum. They dissolve, swell in the intestines thereby lubricating as well as softening the stool hence facilitating as well as frequenting bowel movements⁴.  These are however safe for use by elderly patients.

 

Another example is stimulants laxatives. These laxatives are responsible for consistent intestines’ muscle contractions. These laxatives may lead to electrolyte problems as well as dehydration. Also, there are osmotic laxatives. Osmotic laxatives often increase water amount in both the colon as well as small intestines⁵. Water increased is responsible for stool softening and enlargement. When used on an empty stomach, it takes entire two hours to feel their impacts. They can be derived from carrots, and they include polyethylene glycol as well as lactulose.

 

Lubricant laxatives, on the other hand, assist in stool greasing facilitating its movement through the intestines. By using this laxative, bowel movements are stimulated in 8 hours after lubricant laxative ingestion⁶.  Carrot juice together with lemon juice as well as spinach j nice, are beneficial for their use in the constipation treatment. Spinach juice is responsible for bowel cleansing. However, the result is expected to be felt two months after taking the juice at which the bowel begins to regularly empty.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A variety of carrot from Holland, Daucuscarota L., was used for the test in the laboratory. The carrot extract and the carrot juice were used in this laboratory test.

 

Extraction conditions:

Roots were cut into 2mm width and 1cm length. The carotenes extraction was done at a different concentration of ethanol as well as at the different range of temperatures to obtain a different concentration of carotenes. At first, 25g of carrot sample slices was put in 110g of ethanol with 96% concentration. The slices of carrot were extracted from water bath of different temperatures, say 20 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius, and 60 degrees Celsius. The contents were then shaken for every 10 minutes. 5 ml extraction was then taken after every hour and the content mixed with 20 ml petroleum ether. Water was continuously added for the separation phases.

 

Carotenes Determination:

 β-carotene content present in the extract of petroleum-ether was spectrophotometrically determined in which absorbency was computed at 450 mm wavelength by the use of a spectrophotometer. The β-carotene’s concentration was computed by the help of response factors given by the formula:

β-carotene =     A * d * V         

                            E * w

Explanation:

β-carotene content extraction under the influence of treatment, temperature, as well as time.

Carrot juice and β-carotene are effective at different concentrations depending on the extraction conditions for β-carotene.

 

RESULTS:

For this particular work. The content for the correct dosage and concentration was watched and computed as shown in the table below¹. Results

 

Carrot Juice	Correct dosage (ml)	Effective Laxative concentration(mg/kg)
Beet Constipation	250	97.12 ± 7.45
Green Citrus Booster for Bowel	500	65.33 ± 7.56

 

CONCLUSION:

A few significant conclusion could be through from the current research are carrots have efficacy as laxatives, Carrot juice have more laxative potency as compared to the carrot ethanol extract. Carrot juice at 50% and 100% concentration contain the efficacy as a laxative, carrot with a concentration of 100% has a laxative effectiveness same as that for phenolphthalein

 

REFERENCES:

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3.       Lee EJ, Warden S. A qualitative study of quality of life and the experience of complementary and alternative medicine in Korean women with constipation. Gastroenterology Nursing. 2011 Mar 1; 34(2):118-27.

4.       Faigel DO. A clinical approach to constipation. Clinical cornerstone. 2002 Jan 1; 4(4): 11-8.

5.       Khan RU, Mehmood S, Jaffar SU. Ethnobotanical study of food value flora of district Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2013;1(4).

6.       Sukumar BS, Shashirekha HK. Constipation cure and treatment through diet, yoga, home remedies. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2015 Dec 15; 2(5).

 

 

 

 

Received on 19.09.2017         Modified on 01.11.2017

Accepted on 08.02.2018      © RJPT All right reserved