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. 2021 Jan 11;10(1):43.
doi: 10.3390/biology10010043.

Flaxseed Lignans and Polyphenols Enhanced Activity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Dan Draganescu  1   2 , Calin Andritoiu  1   3 , Doina Hritcu  1 , Gianina Dodi  4 , Marcel Ionel Popa  1
Affiliations

Flaxseed Lignans and Polyphenols Enhanced Activity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Dan Draganescu et al. Biology (Basel). .

Abstract

Flaxseeds play an important role in human health due to their chemical composition and recognized beneficial outcomes. This study investigated the antidiabetic effects of present lignans and polyphenols found in the flaxseed extract on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The flaxseed administration produced favorable changes in body weight, food and water intake, and glycosylated hemoglobin and blood glucose quantities in the treated diabetic rats. Additionally, significant positive results were observed in the biochemical parameters, namely reduced plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, plasma creatinine, and urea and uric acid levels, highlighting the seeds' use in traditional medicine. The results were sustained by histopathological observations that showed better tissue preservation following the flaxseed diet. Overall, the consumption of flaxseeds produced moderate reduction in glucose levels and hyperlipidemia, together with improvement in the impaired organs' function in diabetic rats. The daily administration of polyphenols and lignans compounds could impact therapeutic potential in diabetes management.

Keywords: antidiabetic effects; flaxseed extract; lignans; polyphenols; streptozotocin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flaxseed extraction and HPLC/TOF-MS analysis study on HPLC Agilent 1200 Series connected with Agilent 6520 Series Q-TOF-MS electrospray ion source in negative mode.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Body weight changes; (B) water intake; (C) food intake, and (D) effect of flaxseed extract on blood glucose level in experimental rats. Data are expressed as mean ±SD (n = 6/group); p < 0.05 using ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer test. N, normal control (healthy); DM-C, diabetic control; and DM-T, diabetic treated with flaxseed extract. DM-C vs. N group (a, p < 0.05), DM-T vs. N group (b, p < 0.05), and DM-T vs. DM-C group (c, p < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histopathologic examination of pancreas in N, DM-C, and DM-T rats.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Histopathologic examination of liver in N, DM-C, and DM-T rats.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Histopathologic examination of kidney in N, DM-C, and DM-T rats.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Histopathologic examination of spleen in N, DM-C, and DM-T rats.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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