Wound-Healing Efficacy of Daucus carota Bioactive Compounds: Targeting Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Abstract

Background/Objectives : Carrot seed essential oil (CSEO) from Daucus carota is rich in sesquiterpenoids and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the wound-healing potential of chemically validated CSEO in albino rats and examined its effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Methods : CSEO was chemically characterized using GC-MS with retention-index validation. Eighteen constituents (>1% peak area) were identified. An excision wound model in albino rats was used to assess wound closure, physiological parameters, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), antioxidant status (SOD, GSH, ROS, MDA), and histological markers of tissue repair. Apoptosis was evaluated through caspase-3 immunohistochemistry to determine its role in tissue remodeling. Results : CSEO exhibited an oxygenated sesquiterpene-rich chemotype with oxygenated sesquiterpenes (~36%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (~29%) as major groups. In vivo, CSEO significantly accelerated wound closure, achieving closure on Day 16 ( p p p p p p p p Conclusions : CSEO modulates inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis to promote efficient wound healing, supporting its relevance as a promising therapeutic candidate for wound management.