Anticancer Activity of Mineral-Supplemented Organically Cultivated Carrot on HT-29 Cells and Its Anti-Inflammatory Effect on Mice Splenocytes
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
It was a large project, well conducted. The paper is well written. The topic is really interesting, evaluating the health-related properties of the mineral-supplemented organically cultivated carrot. The presentation of the context is very good.
Concerns raised include:
1. Abstract
Line 27, ‘NC inhibited NO production’, full name needed for NO
2. Introduction
Lines 59-60 and lines 87-89, please add references to support the statements.
3. Methods
Please referencing your methods where applicable, e. g. line 123, the Folin-Denis method.
4. Discussions
Line 424, change the size of ‘p53 is activated in response to DNA’.
Are there any limitation(s) in your study?
5. Other comments
Please read the paper carefully with regard to correct English
Please read the paper carefully with regard to correct English
Author Response
Thank you very much for the review of our manuscript by the reviewers with kind, detailed and valuable comments.
We have checked and revised the manuscript very carefully according to the directions of the reviewers.
We have checked again for the revision of our manuscript. This following is our revisions. We hope that it can be acceptable to your prominent Journal.
Thank you again for your kind and help in advance.
Sincerely,
Kun-Young Park, ph.D.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
In this manuscript, the authors conducted a comparison of the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects of carrots from different cultivations. They found that mineral-supplemented organically cultivated carrots (NC) exhibited higher antioxidant levels and demonstrated enhanced inhibition of cancer cell growth and inflammation in vitro, compared to conventionally cultivated and organically cultivated carrots. The authors also investigated potential underlying molecular mechanisms. The study is straightforward, and the experiments appear to be well-designed. There are only a few minor concerns that need to be addressed.
1. In Figure 1, it is not immediately clear why the concentrations of TP and TF did not increase in the same magnitude as the concentration of carrot extracts increased. The authors should provide an explanation for this observation.
2. For better visualization, the authors should consider plotting the gene expression levels shown in Table 2.
3. In Figure 6 and Figure 7, the authors should clearly label the LPS treated samples to avoid any ambiguity in the presentation of the data.
The manuscript requires thorough revision to enhance the quality of English writing and eliminate any typos.
Author Response
Thank you very much for the review of our manuscript by the reviewers with kind, detailed and valuable comments.
We have checked and revised the manuscript very carefully according to the directions of the reviewers.
We have checked again for the revision of our manuscript. This following is our revisions. We hope that it can be acceptable to your prominent Journal.
Thank you again for your kind and help in advance.
Sincerely,
Kun-Young Park, ph.D.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The research entitled “Anticancer activity of mineral-supplemented organically cultivated carrot on HT-29 cells and its anti-inflammatory effect on mice splenocytes” elaborated antioxidant properties and potential health benefits of carrots. Carrots contain a diverse range of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, which are well-known for their strong antioxidant capabilities. These compounds have been shown to neutralize harmful free radicals, modulate cellular signaling pathways, and influence gene expression, leading to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. The fact that organically grown carrots exhibit higher levels of these beneficial phenolic substances, such as myricetin and quercetin-3-rhamnoside, compared to conventionally grown carrots highlights the potential advantages of organic cultivation. The study's findings further underscore the positive impact of natural dream cultivation, which not only enhances the phytochemical content but also significantly boosts antioxidant activity. This could potentially contribute to a healthier diet and offer protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions. Moreover, the exploration of carrots as an alternative therapy for leukemia and their ability to inhibit cancer cell growth through various mechanisms, including apoptosis and cell cycle regulation, opens up exciting avenues for future research and the development of novel treatments.
The study is recommended for publication but following queries needs to be addressed/incorporated by the authors
a. While the research on carrots' bioactive compounds and potential health benefits is intriguing, there are certain aspects that warrant consideration. The study primarily focuses on the positive attributes of organically grown and naturally cultivated carrots, but it is important to acknowledge potential limitations or confounding factors in the research design.
b. The significance of the differences observed in phenolic compound levels between organic and conventional cultivation may not be universally applicable, as other variables like soil composition, climate, and cultivation practices could also contribute to variations in phytochemical content.
c. Additionally, while the study highlights the potential anticancer properties of carrots, it's crucial to note that these findings are based on in vitro and animal model studies. The extrapolation of these results to human health and disease management requires cautious interpretation.
d. Furthermore, the study mainly discusses the benefits of carrots, leaving room for a more comprehensive exploration of any potential adverse effects or contraindications associated with their consumption. A balanced evaluation should encompass not only the positive impacts but also potential limitations and areas that require further investigation
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Thank you very much for the review of our manuscript by the reviewers with kind, detailed and valuable comments.
We have checked and revised the manuscript very carefully according to the directions of the reviewers.
We have checked again for the revision of our manuscript. This following is our revisions. We hope that it can be acceptable to your prominent Journal.
Thank you again for your kind and help in advance.
Sincerely,
Kun-Young Park, ph.D.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
Yanni Pan and co-workers have submitted an article titled “Anticancer activity of mineral-supplemented organically cultivated carrot on HT-29 cells and its anti-inflammatory effect on mice splenocytes”. The work is interesting and has potential application. There are the following major concerns that need to be addressed before publication.
- Authors should highlight the novelty in view of future perspectives in the abstract.
- Authors should explain the phytochemistry of extracts by using LC-MS analysis and also elaborate the mechanism of targeting agent for anticancer behaviour.
- Authors should also explain the intracellular ROS generation.
- Authors should perform the live/dead cell experiment and provide the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images.
- Authors are suggested to make a proposed graphical scheme for mechanism.
- Authors should perform the FTIR of dried extracts.
Minor editing of English language required.
Author Response
Thank you very much for the review of our manuscript by the reviewers with kind, detailed and valuable comments.
We have checked and revised the manuscript very carefully according to the directions of the reviewers.
We have checked again for the revision of our manuscript. This following is our revisions. We hope that it can be acceptable to your prominent Journal.
Thank you again for your kind and help in advance.
Sincerely,
Kun-Young Park, ph.D.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 4 Report
Authors have revised the manuscript carefully so it can be accepted for publication.
