Prophylactic effect of flaxseed oil against radiation-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Flaxseed (linseed, Linum usitatissimum, Linaceae) is widely used for its edible oil in many parts of the world. The present study investigates the radioprotective and antioxidative potential of flaxseed oil (FO). Swiss albino mice were administered FO orally once daily for 15 consecutive days, then exposed to a single dose of 5 Gy of gamma radiation. Lipid peroxide, reduced glutathione and total protein were estimated in the liver. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acid and alkaline phosphatase estimations in serum were also carried out. Radiation-induced increases in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), AST, ALT and acid phosphatase were significantly ameliorated by flaxseed oil pretreatment, and radiation-induced depletion in the level of glutathione (GSH) and alkaline phosphatase activities was significantly inhibited by flaxseed oil administration. The lifespan was increased in the flaxseed oil treated irradiated mice in comparison with their respective control mice, with survival data showing an LD(50/30) (lethal dose for 50% of animals after 30 days) of 7.1 and 10 Gy for control and FO treated irradiated mice, respectively, and produced a dose reduction factor for flaxseed oil (DRF) of 1.40. Radiation-induced deficits in body and organ weight were significantly reduced or prevented in flaxseed oil pretreated mice. The protection afforded by flaxseed oil may be attributed to the constituents of the oil, which include omega-3 essential fatty acids and phytoestrogenic lignans, which appear to play an important role in free radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching. The study does not rule out the possibility of a prophylactic potential of flaxseed oil against radiation-induced degenerative changes in liver.

Prophylactic action of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in mouse brain.

The present study is a pilot study that explores the antioxidative properties of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil in its prophylactic action against oxidative stress induced by a radiomimetic drug, cyclophosphamide. Oral administration of linseed oil (0.1 mL/kg of body weight/day) for 20 days prior to an acute dose of cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the augmented level of malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, and hydroperoxides in the mouse brain. The cyclophosphamide- induced decline in the levels of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and alkaline phosphatase was also significantly prevented by linseed oil in mouse blood. Similarly, the increased activity of acid phosphatase and oxidized glutathione was significantly inhibited by linseed oil. Results clearly indicate the prophylactic action of linseed oil against cyclophosphamide- induced oxidative stress.