Exploring the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Daucus carota L. subsp. carota Seed Extracts: Phytochemical Profiling, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Modulation of the Arachidonic Acid Cascade

Abstract

Wild plant biodiversity represents a largely untapped source of chemically diverse metabolites. However, many wild edible species remain poorly characterized despite their potential as sources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. Daucus carota L. subsp. carota, commonly known as wild carrot, has attracted interest due to its long history of medicinal use. In this study, seed extracts collected from populations growing in two Italian regions (Lazio and Molise) were investigated to evaluate their phytochemical composition, mineral content, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory potential. The metabolite profiles were characterized by qualitative Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis, allowing the identification of several phenolic compounds and other secondary metabolites. Antioxidant activity was assessed using in vitro assays, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and soluble epoxide hydrolase, two key enzymes involved in the arachidonic acid cascade. To gain further insight into the possible mechanisms underlying these activities, molecular docking analyses were performed on selected metabolites identified in the extracts, exploring their interactions with the target enzymes. The extracts displayed promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while docking results supported the potential role of specific metabolites in enzyme modulation. These findings highlight the value of underexplored wild D. carota seeds as a source of natural compounds with potential applications in the development of nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products.