RESUMEN
Daucus carota (carrot) seed is used medicinally in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, in whichoxidative stress and hyperlipidemia are associated complications. The study evaluated the antioxidant andantihyperlipidemic effects of aqueous seed extract of D. carota aqueous extract (AQEDCS) in triton ×100-inducedhyperlipidemic mice. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the extract (0.2–1.0 mg/ml) were evaluated using totalantioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and ferric ion scavenging. In vivo antioxidantand antihyperlipidemic properties of AQEDCS extract were evaluated using triton ×100-induced oxidative stressand hyperlipidemia in mice. AQEDCS contains alkaloids, tannins, phenols, and produced significant antioxidanteffects in vitro compared to Vitamin C. AQEDCS significantly (P < 0.05) decreased levels of plasma cholesterol,triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein, coronary artery, cardiac, and atherogenic indices and increased circulatinghigh-density lipoprotein levels when compared to untreated hyperlipidemic mice. AQEDCS significantly (P < 0.05)decreased the level of malondialdehyde compared to untreated hyperlipidemic mice. AQEDCS and simvastatindecreased (P < 0.05) reduced glutathione concentration in plasma, with no difference (P > 0.05) in the liver of micecompared to untreated hyperlipidemic mice. Similarly, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in plasmanitrite levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase except in AQEDCS mice that received 100 mg/kgbody weight dose of AQEDCS extract when compared with non-induced control. The results indicated that AQEDCSpossesses antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects, and could complement antioxidant defense system in vivoduring oxidative stress as well as prevent further complications that could arise from hyperlipidemia during its usagefor diabetes mellitus treatments.