Abstract :
Introduction: The most important risk factor of IHD is hyperlipidaemia. The dietary manipulation with
flaxseed powder has reduced the incidence of CVD by decreasing the lipid profile in human beings. So
flaxseed powder has been used in the present study to analyse its hypolipidemic action in experimentally
induced hyperlipidaemia in male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: This is an animal interventional study. It was conducted in 24 male albino rats
divided into 4 groups with 6 animals in each. Gr I (control), GrII to see the per se effect of flaxseed powder,
Gr III (standard) kept on High cholesterol diet and Gr IV (test) kept on high cholesterol diet with flaxseed
powder. The study was conducted for two weeks. Blood samples for estimation of TC, TGc, LDLc, VLDLc
and HDLc were collected at the beginning and at the end of the study period from orbital vein.
Results: In the intervention group fed on flaxseed powder and HCD significantly reduced the blood lipids
but not in the Gr II fed on flaxseed alone. The HCD fed Standard group developed a highly significant rise
in lipid levels of the rats. This has revealed that incorporation of flaxseed in diet may protect against the
development of IHD. The hypolipidemic effect of flaxseeds may be due to the presence of rich content of
omega 3 fatty acids, ALA, Lignans and antioxidant properties and phytoestrogens.
Conclusion: So, we conclude that flaxseed powder administration has highly significantly reduced the
blood lipid levels in rats. The addition of flaxseed in diet has a beneficial effect on lipids and protects
against cardiovascular disorders due to omega 3 fatty acids, ALA and Lignans.
Keyword :
Flaxseeds, High cholesterol diet, Lipoproteins, Hyperlipidaemia, Lignans.