Abstract

Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Flax Lignan Concentrate in Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Hyperlipidemia Rats

Author(s): Nikhila Vengala

Background: Flax seeds have been shown to have multiple benefits in cardiovascular disorders. Objective: To evaluate Antihyperlipidemic activity of methanolic fraction of flax lignan concentrate (MF-FLC) obtained from Linum usitatissium L., Linaceae in nicotinamide-STZ induced diabetic hyperlipidemia rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used for the study. The IAEC of Poona college of Pharmacy approved the proposal. Protocol no. CPCSEA/01/14. Diabetes was induced in rats by nicotinamide-STZ. Diabetic animals were divided into five groups: Diabetic atherosclerosis control, Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), MF-FLC (200 mg/kg), MF-FLC (400 mg/kg), and MF-FLC (800 mg/kg). After the confirmation of diabetes, rats were treated with cholesterol (4% w/w) and cholic acid (1% w/w) for 45 days. After 15 days of cholesterol treatment, atorvastatin and MF-FLC treatment was given to respective groups for 30 days. Non-diabetic atherosclerosis group received cholesterol-cholic acid treatment alone. The control group was given coconut oil as vehicle. Results: Treatment of MF-FLC (400 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.01), mean arterial blood pressure (p<0.001) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (p<0.001) whereas there was significant increase in Max dp/dt (p<0.001) and Min dp/dt (p<0.01) indicating the effect on cardiac contractility. These findings were confirmed in histopathology. MF-FLC (400 mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.01) reduction in the glucose level. MF-FLC (400 mg/kg) was found to be effective, increase in the dose (800 mg/kg) there showed a ceiling effect. Conclusion: The treatment with MF-FLC showed significant increase in the both max and min dp/dt. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) also showed significant increase in the both max and min dp/dt. This suggests that MF-FLC provides sufficient contractile reserve to ameliorate the detrimental effects of diabetes on cardiac contractility. MF-FLC had additional benefit of anti-hyperglycemic effect when compared to atorvastatin.