In vitro anti-cholesterol and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from flax seeds (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

Methanolic extract from flaxseeds was investigated for its effect on anti-cholesterol and antioxidant activity. In vitro anti-cholesterol activity was measured by cholesterol enzymatic endpoint method using simvastatin as positive control. The total amount of phenolic compounds was determined spectrophotometrically and the results were expressed as Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE gG1). Antioxidant activity of flaxseeds in vitro was measured in terms of DPPH free radical scavenging and total antioxidant potential assay. Increasing anti-cholesterol activity by flaxseeds was observed up to 20 min and a maximum inhibition was found as 93.04%, which was comparable to the anti-hyperlipidemic drug simvastatin (95.1%). Phenolic compound content of flaxseeds was found as 0.059 mg GAE gG1 and antioxidant potential was 1.037 mg mLG1. Lower DPPH free radical scavenging activity was observed after 30 min of incubation. The results indicated that flaxseed might reduce or control the cholesterol levels and oxidative damage and it is apparent that flaxseeds could contribute to new formulations with potential anti-cholesterol and antioxidant effects.