Carrot Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study of 57,053 Danes

Quantitative measurement of internal quality of carrots using hyperspectral imaging and multivariate analysis

The study aimed to measure the carotenoid (Car) and pH contents of carrots using hyperspectral imaging. A total of 300 images were collected using a hyperspectral imaging system, covering 472 wavebands from 400 to 1000 nm. Regions of interest (ROIs) were defined to extract average spectra from the hyperspectral images (HIS). We developed two models: least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) to establish a quantitative analysis between the pigment amounts and spectra. The spectra and pigment contents were predicted and correlated using these models. The selection of EWs for modeling was done using the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA), regression coefficients (RC) from PLSR models, and LS-SVM. The results demonstrated that hyperspectral imaging could effectively evaluate the internal attributes of carrot cortex and xylem. Moreover, these models accurately predicted the Car and pH contents of the carrot parts. This study provides a valuable approach for variable selection and modeling in hyperspectral imaging studies of carrots.

Carrot intake is consistently negatively associated with cancer incidence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies

Carrots are main dietary sources of several potential anti-cancer compounds, including polyacetylenes, while β-carotene has shown no benefits in controlled cancer trials. Accordingly, associations between carrot intake and cancer incidence were quantified, where necessary using α-carotene as a non-causal biomarker of carrot consumption, by searching for studies published before June 2022 reporting risk estimates for relationships of cancer incidence with carrot intake or α-carotene intake or α-carotene plasma concentration, supplemented with hand searches of included studies and reviews. Meta-analyses comparing highest and lowest reported intakes in prospective studies using a random-effects model estimated summary relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), separately for carrot intake or α-carotene plasma concentration, and the corresponding dose-responses. Of 198 observational studies, in 50 prospective studies with 52000 cases recording carrot intake, the cancer-risk was substantially reduced (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.87-0.94, p ˂ 0·00004). In 30 prospective studies with 9331 cases reporting plasma α-carotene levels, summary RR was 0.80 (0.72-0.89, p ˂ 0·00006). For both exposure types, inter-study heterogeneity was moderate, interaction with cancer types insignificant, and the dose-response significant (p ˂ 0·01). In conclusion, carrot consumption is robustly associated with decreased cancer-risk; carrot consumption should be encouraged, and the causal mechanisms further investigated.

Carrot Juice Intake Affects the Cytokine and Chemokine Response in Human Blood after Ex Vivo Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation

In vitro and animal studies have shown that carrot juice containing bioactive natural products, such as falcarinol (FaOH) and falcarindiol (FaDOH), can affect inflammation. The present study was designed to test whether oral intake of carrot juice containing the bioactive acetylenic oxylipins FaOH and FaDOH affects mediators of acute inflammation or the innate immune response in human blood. Carrot juice (500 mL) was administered orally to healthy volunteers, and blood samples were drawn before and 1 h after juice intake. Next, the blood samples were split in two, and one sample was stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The concentrations of 44 inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were examined using multiplex electrochemiluminescence analysis. In blood samples not stimulated with LPS, a significant increase in IL-15 was measured 1 h after carrot juice intake. Cytokines like IFN-ɣ, IL-12/IL-23(p40), IL-23, IL-17A, IL-17B, IL-17D, and IL-22 were significantly increased in LPS-stimulated blood samples after carrot juice intake. The upregulation of the immunostimulating cytokines belonging to the IL-23/IL-17 Th17 axis suggests that carrot juice intake could benefit diseases where inflammation plays a role, like in the early stages of diabetes or cancers.

Chemical Composition, Functional and Anticancer Properties of Carrot

Plants are a valuable source of drugs for cancer treatment. Daucus carota has been investigated for its health properties. In particular, Daucus carota L. subsp. Sativus, the common edible carrot root, has been found to be rich in bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and dietary fiber and contains many other functional components with significant health-promoting features, while Daucus carota L. subsp. Carrot (Apiacae), also known as wild carrot, has been usually used for gastric ulcer therapy, diabetes, and muscle pain in Lebanon. Here, we review the chemical composition of Daucus carota L. and the functional properties of both edible and wild carrot subspecies. Then, we focus on compounds with anticancer characteristics identified in both Daucus carota subspecies, and we discuss their potential use in the development of novel anticancer therapeutic strategies.

Pathways Affected by Falcarinol-Type Polyacetylenes and Implications for Their Anti-Inflammatory Function and Potential in Cancer Chemoprevention

Polyacetylene phytochemicals are emerging as potentially responsible for the chemoprotective effects of consuming apiaceous vegetables. There is some evidence suggesting that polyacetylenes (PAs) impact carcinogenesis by influencing a wide variety of signalling pathways, which are important in regulating inflammation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, etc. Studies have shown a correlation between human dietary intake of PA-rich vegetables with a reduced risk of inflammation and cancer. PA supplementation can influence cell growth, gene expression and immunological responses, and has been shown to reduce the tumour number in rat and mouse models. Cancer chemoprevention by dietary PAs involves several mechanisms, including effects on inflammatory cytokines, the NF-κB pathway, antioxidant response elements, unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, growth factor signalling, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. This review summarises the published research on falcarinol-type PA compounds and their mechanisms of action regarding cancer chemoprevention and also identifies some gaps in our current understanding of the health benefits of these PAs.

The Second Nutrition and Cancer Networking Meeting Nutrition and Breast Cancer: Translating Evidence into Practice

The 2^nd Nutrition and Cancer Networking Meeting 'Nutrition and Breast Cancer: Translating Evidence into Practice' was held at Newcastle University in May 2022, with support from the Nutrition Society and British Association for Cancer Research. The first meeting in this series was held in Sheffield in 2019. The aim of this joint meeting was to bring together researchers with an interest in nutrition and breast cancer, with the programme spanning topics from risk and prevention to nutrition during treatment and beyond. Several key themes emerged, including the importance of engaging patients in the development of interventions and trials, making trials more accessible to diverse communities; training of clinical staff in nutrition and latest evidence; wider range of compounds should be considered in food composition tables; and alternative trial designs can be considered for prevention research to reduce financial burden and increase power.

Carrot Intake and Risk of Developing Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

A prospectively followed Danish cohort of 55,756 citizens with an observation time upwards of 25 years was investigated for association between eating raw carrots on a regular basis and developing various adenocarcinoma-dominant cancers and leukemia. Mean age at inclusion was 56.2 years (SD 4.4 years), and 52% were females. A dose-dependent reduction in incidence was seen for cancer of the lung (HR 0.76, CI95% 0.66; 0.87) and pancreas (HR 0.79, CI95% 0.61; 1.03), as well as leukemia (HR 0.91, CI95% 0.68; 1.21). Only for lung cancer was the association significant. In the case of pancreatic cancer, a possible type 1 error was present due to a low number of cancers. In cases of breast and prostate cancer, no association and no dose response were demonstrated. The association seen for lung and pancreatic cancer parallels that earlier demonstrated for large bowel cancer and indicates a cancer-protective effect from daily intake of raw carrots not limited to gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. Processed carrots exhibited no effect. The preventive effect could be due to the polyacetylenic compounds falcarinol and falcarindiol in carrots, whereas carotene may not have an effect. The polyacetylenes are inactivated by heating, supporting our findings that only raw carrot intake has an effect. Indirect evidence for the cancer preventive effect of carrots in humans has reached a level where a prospective human trial is now timely.

Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Fucoidan Complex-Based Functional Beverage Through Retarding Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Signaling Pathways

BACKGROUND

Fucus vesiculosus-derived fucoidan, a multifunctional bioactive polysaccharide sourced from marine organisms, exhibits a wide range of therapeutic properties, including its anti-tumor effects. While previous research has reported on its anti-cancer potential, limited studies have explored its synergistic capabilities when combined with other natural bioactive ingredients. In this current study, we present the development of an integrative functional beverage, denoted as VMW-FC, which is composed of a fucoidan complex (FC) along with a blend of various herbal components, including vegetables (V), mulberries and fruits (M), and spelt wheat (W).

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant cause of mortality, particularly in metastatic cases. Therefore, the urgent need for novel alternative medicines that comprehensively inhibit CRC persists. In this investigation, we assess the impact of VMW-FC on CRC cell proliferation, cell cycle dynamics, metastasis, in vivo tumorigenesis, and potential side effects.

METHODS

Cell growth was assessed using MTT and colony formation assays, while metastatic potential was evaluated through wound healing and transwell migration assays. The underlying signaling mechanisms were elucidated through qPCR and western blot analysis. In vivo tumor formation and potential side effects were evaluated using a subcutaneous tumor-bearing NOD/SCID mouse model.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate that VMW-FC significantly impedes CRC proliferation and migration in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, it induces sub-G1 cell cycle arrest and an increase in apoptotic cell populations, as confirmed through flow-cytometric analysis. Notably, VMW-FC also suppresses xenograft tumor growth in NOD/SCID mice without causing renal or hepatic toxicity.

CONCLUSION

The integrative herbal concoction VMW-FC presents a promising approach for inhibiting CRC by slowing proliferation and migration, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and suppressing markers associated with proliferation (Ki-67, PCNA, and CDKs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (Vimentin, N-cadherin, and β-catenin).

Functional constituents of plant-based foods boost immunity against acute and chronic disorders

Plant-based foods are becoming an increasingly frequent topic of discussion, both scientific and social, due to the dissemination of information and exchange of experiences in the media. Plant-based diets are considered beneficial for human health due to the supply of many valuable nutrients, including health-promoting compounds. Replacing meat-based foods with plant-based products will provide many valuable compounds, including antioxidants, phenolic compounds, fibers, vitamins, minerals, and some ω3 fatty acids. Due to their high nutritional and functional composition, plant-based foods are beneficial in acute and chronic diseases. This article attempts to review the literature to present the most important data on nutrients of plant-based foods that can then help in the prevention of many diseases, such as different infections, such as coronavirus disease, pneumonia, common cold and flu, asthma, and bacterial diseases, such as bronchitis. A properly structured plant-based diet not only provides the necessary nutrients but also can help in the prevention of many diseases.

Polyacetylenes in herbal medicine: A comprehensive review of its occurrence, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics (2014-2021)

Polyacetylenes are a kind of small active compounds with carbon-carbon triple bond with vast occurrence in plants. Polyacetylenes have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse biofunctions like tumor suppression, immunity regulation, depression resistance and neural protection. The present review intends to reconstruct data concerning the occurrence, pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of polyacetylenes from herbal medicine in a systematic and integrated way, with a view to backing up their curative potential and healthcare properties (2014-2021). The natural polyacetylene-related data were all acquired from the scientific search engines and databases that are globally recognized, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, SciFinderⁿ and CNKI. A total of 183 polyacetylenes were summarized in this paper. Modern pharmacological studies indicated that polyacetylenes possess multiple biological activities including antitumor, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, anti-depression, anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, hepatoprotective and renoprotective activities. As important bioactive components of herbal medicine, the pharmacological curative potential of polyacetylenes has been described against carcinomas, inflammatory responses, central nervous system, endocrine disorders and microbial infection in this review. While, further in-depth studies on the aspects of polyacetylenes for toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and molecular mechanisms are still limited, thereby intensive research and assessments should be performed.

Association of Dietary Carrot/Carotene Intakes With Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial

Background:

The evidence of dietary carrot/carotene intake's effect on the association with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is conflicted. We sought to examine the association of carrot/carotene intake with CRC incidence and mortality in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening cohort.

Methods

In all, 101,680 participants were enrolled between November 1993 and July 2001 from the PLCO cohort. We employed the multivariable Cox regression analyses to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed to examine the potential effect modifiers. We further applied the generalized additive model to explore the non-linear trend of the exposure to cancer-related outcomes.

Results

A total of 1,100 CRC cases and 443 cancer-related deaths were documented. We noted that the 4th quintile of dietary carrot intakes was associated with a 21% lower risk of CRC incidence, compared with the lowest quintile group (full-adjusted HR_{quintile4vs.quintile1} = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.65–0.97, p for trend = 0.05), while the adjusted-HR was 0.95 (95%CI = 0.89–1.02) with per SD increment of carrot intakes, and no statistically significant associations were detected between dietary α-, and β-carotene intake and CRC incidence. There were no statistically significant associations observed between carrot/carotene intakes and CRC mortality. Furthermore, there were no non-linear dose-response relationships between dietary carrot, α-, and β-carotene intake and CRC incidence and mortality (all p_nonlinearity > 0.05). Of note, smoking status as a modifier on the association of dietary carrot intakes with CRC incidence but not mortality was observed.

Conclusions

In summary, this large U.S. prospective cohort study indicated that a moderate consumption of carrots was associated with a lower CRC incidence, which suggested that a certain dose-range of carrots consumed might contribute to a potential cancer-prevention effect, not the more the better.

Cruciferous Vegetables and Their Bioactive Metabolites: from Prevention to Novel Therapies of Colorectal Cancer

The Brassicaceae family, known as cruciferous vegetables, includes many economically important species, mainly edible oil plants, vegetable species, spice plants, and feed plants. Cruciferous vegetables are foods rich in nutritive composition and are also a good source of dietary fiber. Besides, cruciferous vegetables contain various bioactive chemicals known as glucosinolates and S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide, including sulphur-containing cancer-protective chemicals. Numerous studies have reported that daily intake of sulphurous vegetables helps prevent cancer formation and reduces cancer incidence, especially in colorectal cancer, through various mechanisms. The potential mechanisms of these compounds in preventing cancer in experimental studies are as follows: protecting cells against DNA damage, inactivating carcinogenic substances, showing antiviral and antibacterial effects, triggering apoptosis in cells with disrupted structure, inhibiting tumour cell migration causing metastasis and the development of tumour-feeding vessels (angiogenesis). These beneficial anticancer effects of cruciferous vegetables are generally associated with glucosinolates in their composition and some secondary metabolites, as well as other phenolic compounds, seed oils, and dietary fiber in the literature. This review aims to examine to the roles of cruciferous vegetables and their important bioactive metabolites in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Delving into the Nutraceutical Benefits of Purple Carrot against Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer: A Review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) constitutes a group of risk factors that may increase the risk of cancer and other health problems. Nowadays, researchers are focusing on food compounds that could prevent many chronic diseases. Thus, people are shifting from dietary supplements towards healthy nutritional approaches. As a nutritious and natural food source, purple carrot (Daucus carota spp. Sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) roots could have an important role in the prevention of MetS as well as cancer. This review provides deep insight into the role of purple carrot’s main bioactive compounds and their effectiveness against MetS and cancer. Phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanin, present in purple carrot roots may be especially productive in avoiding or delaying the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVDs), obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Anthocyanins and other phenolics are successful in reducing metabolic changes and inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory effects. Many researchers have made efforts to employ this vegetable in the prevention and treatment of MetS and cancer. However, more advanced studies are required for the identification of its detailed role, effectiveness, suitable intake, and the effect of its bioactive compounds against these diseases.

Peeling Affects the Nutritional Properties of Carrot Genotypes

Peeling may result in changes in carrot’s nutritional properties; therefore, the present study focused on its effect on the retention of principal nutrients (minerals, sugars, organic acids) and antioxidants (carotenoids and phenols) in the peeled roots of two landraces (‘Carota a punta lunga’—CPL and ‘Carota a punta tonda’—CPT) and a hybrid cultivar (‘Presto’) grown in the area of the “Salterns of Margherita di Savoia” area (Puglia region). The peel had a higher concentration of cations (+92%), organic acids (+103%), carotenoids (+42%), and phenolic acids (seven times) than root flesh. For each chemical class, the most abundant components were K, malic acid, ß-carotene, and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The two landraces stand out for the accumulation of the phenolic acids and ß-carotene, whereas the peel of ‘Presto’ was distinguished by the concentration of Ca and ascorbic and pyruvic acids. The root flesh had a greater accumulation of simple sugars, nitrate (mainly in CPL), oxalic acid, and in particular in the flesh of ‘Presto’, of Na and Cl. For local varieties, peel removal seems to impact the nutritional and antioxidative properties of carrots more consistently compared to the advanced cultivar, since it represents on average 21% and 59% of the total carotenoids and phenols, respectively, of the intact roots.

Association of Dietary Carrot Intake With Bladder Cancer Risk in a Prospective Cohort of 99,650 Individuals With 12.5 Years of Follow-Up

Previous studies have provided limited evidence for the effect of carrot intake on bladder cancer incidence. This study aimed to evaluate the association between carrot consumption and bladder cancer risk in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening cohort. PLCO enrolled 154,897 participants between November 1993 and July 2001 from 10 clinical screening centers throughout the United States. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression model adjusting for confounders. A meta-analysis was also performed based on all available prospective studies with DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model to calculate summary relative risk (RR) and 95% CI. After a median of 12.5 years of follow-up, 762 incident bladder cancer cases occurred. We found no statistically significant association between dietary carrot intake and bladder cancer risk. The multivariate-adjusted HR of bladder cancer for participants in the highest category of total carrot intake compared with those in the lowest category was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.76–1.22; P for trend = 0.436). Corresponding adjusted HR was 0.98 (95% CI 0.90–1.06) per 1 SD increment of carrot intake. A meta-analysis based on two previous cohort studies and our study also found no significant association between carrot intake and bladder cancer risk (Summary HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95–1.10) without obvious heterogeneity between studies (P = 0.859, I² = 0.0%). In summary, analysis of the PLCO cohort did not provide evidence that dietary consumption of carrot was associated with the risk of bladder cancer.

Falcarindiol Purified From Carrots Leads to Elevated Levels of Lipid Droplets and Upregulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Gene Expression in Cellular Models

Falcarindiol (FaDOH) is a cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory polyacetylenic oxylipin found in food plants of the carrot family (Apiaceae). FaDOH has been shown to activate PPARγ and to increase the expression of the cholesterol transporter ABCA1 in cells, both of which play an important role in lipid metabolism. Thus, a common mechanism of action of the anticancer and antidiabetic properties of FaDOH may be due to a possible effect on lipid metabolism. In this study, the effect of sub-toxic concentration (5 μM) of FaDOH inside human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was studied using white light microscopy and Raman imaging. Our results show that FaDOH increases lipid content in the hMSCs cells as well as the number of lipid droplets (LDs) and that this can be explained by increased expression of PPARγ2 as shown in human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Activation of PPARγ can lead to increased expression of ABCA1. We demonstrate that ABCA1 is upregulated in colorectal neoplastic rat tissue, which indicates a possible role of this transporter in the redistribution of lipids and increased formation of LDs in cancer cells that may lead to endoplasmic reticulum stress and cancer cell death.

Bioactive C17 and C18 Acetylenic Oxylipins from Terrestrial Plants as Potential Lead Compounds for Anticancer Drug Development

Bioactive C₁₇ and C₁₈ acetylenic oxylipins have shown to contribute to the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and potential anticancer properties of terrestrial plants. These acetylenic oxylipins are widely distributed in plants belonging to the families Apiaceae, Araliaceae, and Asteraceae, and have shown to induce cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and to exert a chemopreventive effect on cancer development in vivo. The triple bond functionality of these oxylipins transform them into highly alkylating compounds being reactive to proteins and other biomolecules. This enables them to induce the formation of anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes via activation of the Keap1–Nrf2 signaling pathway, inhibition of proinflammatory peptides and proteins, and/or induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which, to some extent, may explain their chemopreventive effects. In addition, these acetylenic oxylipins have shown to act as ligands for the nuclear receptor PPARγ, which play a central role in growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Bioactive C₁₇ and C₁₈ acetylenic oxylipins appear, therefore, to constitute a group of promising lead compounds for the development of anticancer drugs. In this review, the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of C₁₇ and C₁₈ acetylenic oxylipins from terrestrial plants are presented and their possible mechanisms of action and structural requirements for optimal cytotoxicity are discussed.