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ABSTRACT The present investigation was designed to study the effect of flax lignan concentrate obtained from Linum usitatissimum L., Linaceae, in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertension model in Wistar rats. 2K1C Goldblatt model rats were divided randomly into six groups: sham, 2K1C control, captopril (30 mg/kg), flax lignan concentrate (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg). Flax lignan concentrate and captopril were administered daily for eight consecutive weeks. Sham-operated, and 2K1C control rats received the vehicle. Treatment with flax lignan concentrate (400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently restored the hemodynamic parameters systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and left ventricular functions. The flax lignan concentrate significantly restored the elevated hepatic, renal and cardiac marker enzymes in the serum. It also restored the organs weights (kidney and heart), serum electrolyte level and histological abnormalities. Furthermore, flax lignan concentrate significantly elevated the level of biochemical markers that is enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, glutathione and decreased malondialdehyde in the heart and kidney tissues. Meanwhile, we found that plasma nitric oxide and plasma nitric oxide synthase contents were significantly increased in the flax lignan concentrate-treated group, and plasma endothelin-1 and renal angiotensin-II levels were significantly lower than 2K1C hypertensive group. In conclusion, the antihypertensive and antioxidant effect of flax lignan concentrate were dose-dependent and at the highest dose (i.e. 800 mg/kg) similar to those of captopril (30 mg/kg). It is suggested that flax lignan concentrate reduced blood pressure by reduction of renal angiotensin-II level, inhibition of plasma endothelin-1 production, induction of the nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase and in vivo antioxidant defense system.
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Objective To observe the effects of secoisolariciresinol (SECO) and its metabolites, enterolactone (ENL) and enterodiol (END), on proliferation of MCF-7 cell line and to the probable mechanism. Method Effect of SECO, END, ENL and genistein (GEN) on MCF-7 proliferation was investigated by MTT assay. Cell cycle arrest was measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Cell morphology was observed by optical microscope. The anticarcinogenic mechanism of SECO was analyzed. Results SECO had promotive effect on the cell growth at lower concentration (≤40 ?mol/L) but inhibition effect at higher concentration (100 ?mol/L). ENL and END, however, showed significant inhibition effect at all tested concentrations (10~100?mol/L). The cell cycle progression was arrested at G2/M phase and apoptosis was observed by optical microscope. Conclusion Effect of SECO on the MCF-7 cell proliferation depends on its concentration. Inhibition effect of SECO may relate to its metabolites ENL or END.