possible anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of linseed oil

ABSTRACT

Inhibition of angiogenesis has been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Linseed oil is a popular dietary factor in some parts of the world. It contains significant amount of a linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acid [omega 3]. The present study aims at studying the possible anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of linseed oil using different experimental animal models. Female Sprague Dawely rats were divided into two main groups. Control animals were kept on feeding by normal control diet while the treated animals were fed a diet containing 5% linseed oil for 30 days. At the 31[st] day, animals of each group were subdivided into 3 subgroups and subjected to the following animal models 1-Rat paw edema model. 2-Cotton pellet granulation tissue model. 3-Air pouch carrageenan induced model. Results showed that linseed oil induced a significant decrease in the pouch fluid volumes and in the total leucocytic count in the pouch fluid. It also induced a significant decrease in the angiogenesis in the granulation tissue. These findings suggest that linseed oil may have some anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties