Assessment of Antisecretory, Gastroprotective, and In-vitro Antacid Potential of Daucus carota in Experimental Rats

Article information

Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2015;6(6):329-335
Publication date (electronic) : 2015 October 26
doi : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrp.2015.10.006
aSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IFTM University, Lodhipur Rajput, Moradabad, India
bDepartment of Pharmacy, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, India
Corresponding author. chandraphool@yahoo.co.in
Received 2015 March 28; Accepted 2015 October 15.

Abstract

Objectives

In Indo China, carrots have been reported to regulate the functions of the stomach and intestines. The objective of the present investigation was to unravel the therapeutic potential of 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (EDC) on antisecretory, gastroprotective, and in vitro antacid capacity using experimental rats.

Methods

Assessment of EDC antisecretory and in vivo antacid capacities was carried out using a pyloric ligation induced ulcer model. The gastroprotective effect was assessed with an absolute ethanol induced ulcer model. The integrity of gastric mucosa was evaluated using the estimation of glutathione and gastric mucus level and with histopathological examination of gastric mucosal cells. The in-vitro antacid capacity was evaluated using a titration method. The effect of the extract on the liver was assessed by measuring serum biochemical parameters.

Results

The EDC significantly (p < 0.01–0.001) reduced gastric lesions in both models. Furthermore, the EDC also significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) reduced the volume of gastric content whereas the total acidity was significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) reduced with the doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg EDC. Moreover, the mucus content and glutathione level increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the absolute alcohol-induced ulcer. The EDC also showed in-vitro antacid capacity. Histopathological studies further confirmed the potential of EDC by inhibiting congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and necrosis in gastric mucosa.

Conclusion

The EDC exerted antisecretory, gastroprotective, and in vitro antacid potential. These activities could be attributed due to the presence of glycosides, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids.

1 Introduction

Gastric ulcers are one of the major gastrointestinal disorders that occur due to an imbalance between the offensive (gastric acid secretion) and defensive (gastric mucosal integrity) factors [1]. Nowadays, there are two main approaches for curing peptic ulcers: the first approach is to reduce the gastric acid secretion and another approach is to reinforce the gastric mucosal protection [2].

Plants have been a valuable foundation of new drugs and considered as an alternative strategy in search for new drugs. There is a rich profusion of plants used in traditional medicine known to possess antiulcer properties [3]. Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus (family: Apiaceae) is an annual or biannual herb mostly confined to the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa [4]. In Indo China, carrots are used to regulate the functions of the stomach and intestines [5]. Pharmacologically, scientists have shown that the extract obtained from the Daucus carota possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory [6], antifertility [7], antitumor [8], hepatoprotective [9] and hypoglycemic properties [10]. Patil et al [11] studied the anti-inflammatory effects on experimental colitis in rats. Extracts of umbels of Daucus carota L. ssp. carota were evaluated against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats [12]. Roots contain pyrrolidine, daucine [13], vitamin A, daucosterol, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamin C (in the form of protein-ascorbic acid complex), and vitamin D [14].

On the basis of literature review, the objective of the present investigation was to unravel the therapeutic potential of 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (EDC) antisecretory, gastroprotective, and in-vitro antacid capacity using experimental rats.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Collection of plant material

The fresh roots of Daucus carota L ssp. sativus were collected from the Bazikhera of Unnao district belonging to Uttar Pradesh. The plant materials were taxonomically identified and authenticated by Dr D.C. Saini, Scientist E at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotony, Lucknow with reference no. 13597.

2.2 Preparation of the extract

The fresh roots (1 kg) of D. carota were peeled, washed, cut into small pieces, and homogenized in a blender without adding water. They were first defatted with petroleum ether and then extracted with 50% ethanol using a soxhlet extractor. The ethanol extract was filtered and the filtrate was dried in a rota evaporator to yield 20.23% w/w. EDC roots were stored in a desiccator for further preliminary phytochemical screening and pharmacological evaluation.

2.3 Preliminary phytochemical studies

The extract obtained was subjected to preliminary qualitative tests for various plant constituents using suitable chemical tests 15, 16.

2.4 Animals

Wistar albino rats of either sex were obtained from the animal house of the department. They were housed in an environmentally regulated room on a 12 hours light:12 hours dark cycle at 25 ± 2°C, and had free access to food and water. The experimental protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute and experiments were conducted according to the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), India (CPCSEA-837/ac/2004) guidelines on the use and care of experimental animals.

2.5 Acute toxicity study

Different doses [5 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg, by mouth (p.o.)] of EDC were given to the animals and were used to study acute toxicity in accordance to Organization for Economic Cooperation Development [17] guideline 423. Three female rats, each sequentially dosed at intervals of 48 hours, were used for the test. Once daily cage side observations included changes in skin, fur, eyes, mucous membrane (nasal), autonomic (salivation, lacrimation, perspiration, piloerection, urinary incontinence, and defecation), and central nervous system (drowsiness, gait, tremors, and convulsions) changes. Mortality, if any, was determined over a period of 2 weeks.

2.6 Selection of doses

For the assessment of activity, two dose levels were chosen in such a way that the high dose was approximately one-tenth of the maximum dose during acute toxicity studies, and a low dose, which was 50% of the one-tenth dose (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, p.o.).

2.7 Pharmacological assessment

Assessment of EDC as an antisecretory and in-vivo antacid was carried out with a pyloric ligation induced ulcer model. The gastroprotective effect was assessed with an absolute ethanol induced ulcer model. Integrity of the gastric mucosa was evaluated with the estimation of glutathione (GSH) and gastric mucus level and using histopathological examination of gastric mucosal cells. The in-vitro antacid capacity was evaluated using a titration method. The effect of the extract on the liver was assessed by measuring serum biochemical parameters.

2.8 Pyloric ligation induced ulcers

EDC in doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg and ranitidine of 50 mg/kg were administered orally for 7 days in their respective groups. The control group of animals received a suspension of 1% w/v carboxy methyl cellulose in distilled water and rats were kept fasting for 18 hours. Pyloric ligation was carried out in anesthetized rats to induce gastric ulceration [18]. The last dose of drugs was administered orally 1 hour before pyloric ligation, and 4 hours after pyloric ligation the rats were sacrificed. The stomach was dissected out and the gastric juice was drained into a small beaker and the stomach was opened along the greater curvature. The ulcer index was determined using the following scoring system: 0 = normal mucosa; 0.5 = blushing; 1 = spot ulcers; 1.5 = hemorrhage streaks; 2 = 3 mm < ulcers <5 mm; and 2.5 = ulcers >5 mm [19]. The gastric juice was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2000 rpm. The supernatant was collected and used for the estimation of the volume of gastric juice, pH, free acidity, and total acidity. The volume was noted and expressed as mL/100 g/4 hours and the pH was measured using a pH meter. Estimation of free and total acidity of gastric juice was carried out as described by Card and Marks [20]. Free acidity and total acidity were determined by titrating with 0.01N sodium hydroxide using Topfer's reagent and phenolphthalein as an indicator respectively. The acidity was expressed as mEq/L/100g and acid output as mEq/100 g/4 hours 21, 22.

2.9 Absolute ethanol induced ulcers

The experiment was performed according to the method of De-Andrade et al [23] with some modification. The food and water given to rats were withdrawn for 36 hours and 12 hours, respectively, before the commencement of the experiment. These rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (n = 6/group) and treated orally in the following manner: each rat in group 1 received 1 mL of 1% carboxy methyl cellulose solution. Animals in groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered with EDC 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and ranitidine 50 mg/kg p.o., respectively. One hour after treatment, all the rats received 1 mL of absolute ethanol to induce a gastric ulcer. One hour later, the animals were sacrificed with a cervical dislocation, and all stomachs were removed and opened along the greater curvature. Each stomach was gently rinsed with water to remove the gastric contents and ulcers were graded as mentioned earlier.

2.10 Estimation of nonprotein sulfhydryl content in stomach tissues

All groups of rats treated were utilized to estimate the GSH content in stomach tissues as nonprotein sulfhydryls according to the method described by Sedlak and Lindsay [24]. Glandular segment from each stomach was homogenized in 5 mL ice-cold 0.02M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution. Aliquots (4 mL) of tissue homogenate were mixed with 3.2 mL of distilled water and 0.8 mL of 50% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid (50%) in glass tubes and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes, 2 mL supernatant was mixed with 4 mL Tris buffer (0.4M, pH 8.9) and 5,5’-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (0.01M) was added. After shaking the reaction mixture, the absorbance was measured at 412 nm within 5 minutes of the addition of 5,5’-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) against a blank with no homogenate.

2.11 Estimation of gastric wall mucus

Gastric wall mucus was determined according to the method of Corne et al [25]. The glandular segment from the stomach was removed, weighed, and incubated in tubes containing 1% Alcian blue solution (0.16M sucrose in 0.05M sodium acetate, pH 5.8) for 2 hours. The Alcian blue binding extract was centrifuged and the absorbance of supernatant was measured at 498 nm. The quantity of Alcian blue extracted (μg/g of glandular tissue) was then calculated.

2.12 Effects on the liver

The functioning of the liver was assayed by evaluating the alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, bilirubin direct and bilirubin total.

2.13 Histopathology

The samples of the stomach from different groups were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and processed for routine paraffin block preparation. Sections of thickness of approximately 5 μm were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. These were examined under the microscope for histopathological changes such as degeneration, hemorrhage, edematous appearance, erosion and necrosis.

2.14 Antacid capacity

In the in-vitro model, the acid neutralizing capacity of an antacid is the amount of hydrochloric acid that it can neutralize. Thirty-milliliters of 1.0N hydrochloric acid volumetric standard (VS) were added into the test preparation (i.e., EDC) with continuous stirring with a magnetic stirrer for 15 minutes. After this, the titration is started immediately (period should not be exceeded to additional 5 minutes) and the excess hydrochloric acid is titrated with 0.5N sodium hydroxide VS to attain a stable pH (for 10–15 seconds) of 3.5. The number of mEq of acid consumed is calculated with the formula: total mEq = (30 × NHCl) – (VNaOH × NNaOH) in which NHCl and NNaOH are the normalities of the hydrochloric acid VS and the sodium hydroxide VS, respectively; and VNaOH is the volume of sodium hydroxide VS used for titration. The result is expressed in terms of mEq of acid consumed per gram of the substance tested [26].

2.15 Statistical analysis

The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean and were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test using GraphPad Prism 5.0 (Graph-Pad Software Inc., San Diego, California, USA). A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

3 Results

3.1 Preliminary phytochemical screening

The qualitative phytochemical result shows the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, glycosides, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids.

3.2 Acute toxicity study

The EDC was found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg with no signs of mortality or change in behavioral pattern. This result suggests that plant extract is not toxic and is safe.

3.3 Pyloric ligation induced ulcer

Gastric secretion was evaluated as gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity, and total acidity for 4 hours after pyloric ligation. Rats were pretreated and the last dose was administered immediately 1 hour before ligation. EDC extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and ranitidine decreased the gastric juice volume, free acidity, and total acidity, and increased the pH. This decrease reached statistical significance at doses of EDC 200 mg/kg and ranitidine for the volume, free acidity, and total acidity for 4 hours after pyloric ligation (Figures 1 and 2). Gastric mucus content level did not show significant changes in response to any of the tested substances (Figure 3). Neither EDC nor ranitidine modified the GSH level for 4 hours after pylorus ligation to the rats (Figure 4). The ulcer index reduces to 3.25 ± 0.51 in EDC 200 mg/kg and 3.08 ± 0.51 in ranitidine treated groups (p < 0.001) and is shown in Table 1.

Figure 1

Effects of control, 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for gastric volume (mL/100 g/4 h), pH, and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05 against their control. p < 0.001 against their control. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

Figure 2

Effects of control, 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for free acidity (mEq/L/100 g), total acidity (mEq/L/100 g), and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05 against their control. p < 0.001 against their control. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

Figure 3

Effects of control, 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for gastric wall mucus (μg/g wet glandular tissue) and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

Figure 4

Effects of control, ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for glutathione (μg/mg protein) and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots; GSH = glutathione.

Effect of 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots on pyloric ligation induced ulceration in rats.

3.4 Absolute ethanol induced ulcer

Oral administration of absolute ethanol produced severe hemorrhagic lesions in glandular mucosa. The control rats had an ulcer index of 17.00 ± 1.06. In animals pretreated with EDC at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, a significant inhibition of ethanol mucosal injury was detected, showing an ulcer index of 6.83 ± 0.61 and 5.17 ± 0.70, respectively. The ranitidine showed an inhibition of lesion formation (71.57%; Table 2). The gastric wall mucus and GSH level were increased in EDC 200 mg/kg and ranitidine treated rats (Figure 3, Figure 4).

Effect of 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots on ethanol induced ulceration in rats.

3.5 Effect of extract on liver

Blood serum levels of alanine transaminase (p < 0.01) were increased significantly in rats in both types of ulcer model, were replenished by EDC in both doses, and were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Other parameters, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, bilirubin direct and bilirubin total were in the normal range. The data are presented in Table 3.

Level of alanine transaminase (U/L) in different models of ulcer in rats.

3.6 Histopathology study

Histopathological studies (Figure 5A–5D and Figure 6A–6D) further confirmed that pretreatment with EDC at 200 mg/kg inhibited pyloric ligated and absolute ethanol ulcer, congestion, edema, hemorrhage and necrosis in gastric mucosa. In reducing congestion and hemorrhage, the EDC (200 mg/kg, p.o.) efficacy was comparable to that of ranitidine.

Figure 5

Microscopic observation of gastric mucosa of rat stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Pyloric ligation control; (B) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg); (C) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg); and (D) ranitidine (50 mg/kg).

Figure 6

Microscopic observation of gastric mucosa of rat stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Ethanol control; lesion in mucosal layer; (B) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg); slight lesion in mucosal layer; (C) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg); and (D) ranitidine (50 mg/kg).

3.7 Antacid capacity of EDC

Twenty-milliequivalents and 26 mEq of acid were consumed per gram of ethanol extract from roots of D. carota and gelusil, respectively.

4 Discussion

Anatomical and functional integrity of the gastric mucosa is dependent on the balance between aggressive and defensive factors. The accomplishment of pharmacological treatments in preventing or healing ulcers may not depend only on the inhibition of acid secretion, but also on the enhancement of mucosal protective factors [1].

The present study shows that the aqueous ethanol extract from D. carota possesses gastroprotective activity as evidenced by its significant inhibition of the development of ulcers induced by physical and chemical agents. Pyloric ligated induced ulcer is thought to be due to the increased presence of acid in the stomach. The ligation of the pyloric end of the stomach causes accumulation of gastric acid in the stomach, thus, agents that decrease the gastric acid secretion and/or increase mucus secretion are effective in preventing the ulcers induced by this method [27]. In this method, several parameters such as gastric wall mucus content, and gastric contents pH, volume, and hydrogen ion concentration were evaluated in animals after pretreatment with EDC at various doses. EDC exhibits antiulcerogenic activity by significantly reducing the pH, volume and total acidity, and without altering the gastric wall mucus much compared with the control group.

The occurrence of ethanol induced ulcers, which is predominant in the glandular part of the stomach, was previously reported to stimulate the formation of reactive oxygen species, resulting in damage to rat gastric mucosa [28]. EDC has prevented ethanol induced exhaustion of gastric wall mucus. Mucus, in conjunction with bicarbonate secreted by surface epithelial cells, has long been thought to serve a key role in shielding the gastric epithelium from damage induced by acid and pepsin [29]. In addition, mucus plays a vital role in preventing bacterial colonization and translocation to the luminal surface; furthermore, it plays a key role in the deterrence of mechanical damage to the epithelium, providing a microenvironment over sites of superficial injury in which rapid repair can occur [30]. Also, in this model, oxygen derived reactive species are associated with gastrointestinal damage, and antioxidants prevent the lesions by various agents. Ethanol appears to deplete the level of nonprotein sulfhydryl content, such as GSH, in stomach tissues. GSH is a tripeptide, which acts as an antioxidant and seems to be important for the maintenance of the mucosal integrity in the stomach by scavenging reactive oxygen species either directly or enzymatically via glutathione peroxidase. Therefore, depletion of gastric mucosal GSH may result in the accumulation of free radicals that can initiate membrane damage [31].

In conclusion, this study showed potent antisecretory and gastroprotective activities of Daucus carota in pyloric ligation, absolute ethanol induced gastric ulcers. This indicates its therapeutic potential to be used as a cost effective herbal antiulcer agent. The precise mechanisms of action involving these protective factors need to be studied.

Conflicts of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Professor (Dr) R.M. Dubey, Vice Chancellor, IFTM University, Moradabad, for his generous support of the study. This study is part of a PhD from UP Technical University, Lucknow.

Notes

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) which permits non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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Figure 1

Effects of control, 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for gastric volume (mL/100 g/4 h), pH, and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05 against their control. p < 0.001 against their control. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

Figure 2

Effects of control, 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for free acidity (mEq/L/100 g), total acidity (mEq/L/100 g), and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05 against their control. p < 0.001 against their control. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

Figure 3

Effects of control, 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for gastric wall mucus (μg/g wet glandular tissue) and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

Figure 4

Effects of control, ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg), ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg), and ranitidine (50 mg/kg) given orally to the respective groups. Columns for glutathione (μg/mg protein) and vertical bar represent the mean ± standard error of the mean of six animals. *p < 0.05. EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots; GSH = glutathione.

Figure 5

Microscopic observation of gastric mucosa of rat stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Pyloric ligation control; (B) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg); (C) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg); and (D) ranitidine (50 mg/kg).

Figure 6

Microscopic observation of gastric mucosa of rat stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Ethanol control; lesion in mucosal layer; (B) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (100 mg/kg); slight lesion in mucosal layer; (C) 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots (200 mg/kg); and (D) ranitidine (50 mg/kg).

Table 1

Effect of 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots on pyloric ligation induced ulceration in rats.

Treatment Dose (mg/kg) Ulcer index (mean ± SEM) % inhibition
Control 1 mL 14.33 ± 1.20
EDC 100 5.92 ± 0.45 58.71
EDC 200 3.25 ± 0.51 77.32
Ranitidine 50 3.08 ± 0.51 78.48

EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots; SEM = standard error of the mean.

Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (n = 6). Analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test with control group.

Significance represented as p < 0.001.

Table 2

Effect of 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots on ethanol induced ulceration in rats.

Treatment Dose (mg/kg) Ulcer index (mean ± SEM) % inhibition
Control 1 mL 17.00 ± 1.06
EDC 100 6.83 ± 0.61 59.80
EDC 200 5.17 ± 0.70 69.61
Ranitidine 50 4.83 ± 0.86 71.57

EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots; SEM = standard error of the mean.

Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (n = 6). Analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test with control group.

Significance represented as p < 0.01.

Significance represented as p < 0.001.

Table 3

Level of alanine transaminase (U/L) in different models of ulcer in rats.

Treatment Pyloric ligation ulcer Alcohol-induced ulcer
Control 31.42 ± 2.23 32.23 ± 2.32
EDC (100 mg/kg) 23.24 ± 1.64 24.12 ± 4.26
EDC (200 mg/kg) 22.64 ± 2.15 23.72 ± 2.52

EDC = 50% ethanol extract from Daucus carota roots.

All values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean, n = 6. Analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test.

p < 0.05 when the values in the groups are statistically significant against the control value.