Hypocholesterolemic Efficacy of Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside and Its Polymer in Rat

J Nat Prod. 2021 Nov 26;84(11):2845-2850. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00549. Epub 2021 Oct 26.

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Conventional treatment methods include lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical interventions, but recently Health Canada approved a health claim for whole ground flaxseed as an alternative treatment for hypercholesterolemia. The literature suggests flaxseed lignans are responsible for the cholesterol-reducing effects of flaxseed. In this study, 96.1% secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and a 50% SDG enriched polymer (SDG polymer) were investigated as treatments for hypercholesterolemia in rats. Wistar female rats were fed a 1% high-cholesterol diet for a one-week acclimatization prior to a 23-day intervention with enriched SDG or SDG polymer. A reduction in body weight normalized liver weight was observed in rats treated with enriched SDG when compared to the controls. Both enriched SDG (96.1%) and SDG polymer reduced serum triacylglycerol (19% and 15%, respectively) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (15% and 24%, respectively). Histopathologic analyses revealed lipid-lowering effects of either enriched SDG or SDG polymer along with lower steatosis scores and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity. Furthermore, the lack of statistical significance between SDG and SDG polymer treatment groups suggests that SDG polymer may be a potential alternative to enriched SDG for hypercholesterolemia with similar efficacy but lower cost.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Butylene Glycols / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Glucosides / pharmacology*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Liver / pathology
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Polymers / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Butylene Glycols
  • Glucosides
  • Lipids
  • Polymers
  • secoisolariciresinol diglucoside