Unexplored potential of carrot (Daucus carota L.) bioactive in combating cancer: an insight into intricate mechanisms
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Date
2026-01-27
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
The rising incidence of cancer, combined with costs, toxicity, and side effects of conventional treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, underscores the need for preventive strategies. Natural phyto-bioactives, have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their diverse biological activities. These phytochemicals in carrots have been studied for their roles in modulating intracellular signalling pathways in vitro and preclinical studies. Carrots contain an abundant spectrum of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, carotenoids, polyacetylenes, ascorbic acid, and dietary fiber. These constituents have been reported to modulate processes such as apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, and pathways involved in cell proliferation in experimental systems. This comprehensive review studies findings from preclinical studies, epidemiological research, and meta-analyses to evaluate the biological activities of carrot bioactives in cancer-relevant biological mechanisms. By examining their ability to modulate molecular pathways involved in tumour invasion and metastasis, this review highlights the potential mechanistic relevance of carrot-derived phytoactive compounds against metastatic cells. Although preclinical studies suggest that these bioactives may influence processes associated with tumour progression, the available evidence is largely derived from in vitro and animal models, and therefore requires validation through translational research and well-designed, large-scale clinical trials. Rather than establishing definitive cancer-preventive or therapeutic effects, current scientific findings support the role of carrot-derived bioactives as promising candidates for further investigation. Advancing research into the underlying molecular mechanisms of carrots may help identify specific phytochemicals that modulate pathways related to tumour invasion and metastasis, therby enabling the development of future cancer prevention strategies.
Description
The review directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by informing approaches to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting the consumption of nutrient-rich plant foods, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by advancing research at the intersection of nutrition and medicine. Aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, this work reinforces priorities to strengthen health research, preventive care, improved nutrition, and innovative solutions that address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
Keywords
Carrot, Phytochemicals, Bioactive, Tumour, Chemo-preventive, Anti-cancer
Citation
Kumar, S., Kesawat, M. S., Kherawat, B. S., Singh, A., Kumar, A., Kumari, S., ... & Manohar, S. (2026). Unexplored potential of carrot (Daucus carota L.) bioactive in combating cancer: an insight into intricate mechanisms. All Life, 19(1), 2619329.