Saleh A Almatroodi and colleagues state that luteolin is a natural substance found in many fruits and vegetables, like carrots, onions, and apples. Scientists have been studying luteolin to see if it can help prevent and treat diseases, including cancer. Research suggests this compound possesses the ability to combat cancer by modulating cell-signaling pathways across various types of cancer. Luteolin inhibits cancer-cell survival and proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, mTOR/PI3K/Akt, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and cell-cycle arrest, and induces apoptosis. THus, this compound may play a vital role in the up/down-regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer therapy. (1)
This study draws my attention on carrot's health benefits, and I found there is a recent review article on this topic. Here is a brief summary:
Daucus carota L., a member of the Apiaceae family, comprises 13 subspecies, with one being cultivated (D. carota L. ssp. sativus (Hoffm.) Arcang.) and the remaining being wild. Traditionally, the wild carrot has been recognized for its antilithic, diuretic, carminative, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties and has been employed in the treatment of urinary calculus, cystitis, gout, prostatitis, and cancer.
Thirteen wild Daucus carota subspecies were analyzed, and they contain lots of different compounds, including terpenoids, phenylpropenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, with 40 constituting more than 3% of the composition. Most have the antioxidant, anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypolipidemic, and hepato- and gastroprotective properties. Their traditional uses include the treatment of infections, inflammation, and cancer.
By the way, Daucus carota L. is the scientific name for the common carrot, including both the cultivated orange variety we find at the grocery store and its wild ancestor. The "L." at the end stands for Carl Linnaeus, the founder of modern taxonomy, the system of classifying living things.
REFERENCES
(1) Saleh A Almatroodi et al, Effects and Mechanisms of Luteolin, a Plant-Based Flavonoid, in the Prevention of Cancers via Modulation of Inflammation and Cell Signaling Molecules Molecules. 2024 Feb 29;29(5):1093.
(2) Jana Ismail, et al, The Wild Carrot (Daucus carota): A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review, Plants (Basel). 2023 Dec 27;13(1):93.