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Therapeutic effect of Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed/linseed) fixed oil on acute and chronic arthritic models in albino rats

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Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the activity/anti-inflammatory potential of Linum usitatissimum fixed oil against castor oil-induced diarrhoea, turpentine oil-induced joint oedema, formaldehyde and Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats. The oil intraperitoneally, significantly inhibited the castor oil-induced diarrhoea and turpentine oil-induced exudative joint oedema in a dose-dependent manner. Significant inhibitory effect of L. usitatissimum fixed oil was observed in formaldehyde-induced proliferative global oedematous arthritis when given intraperitoneally, with significant checking of the serum glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase. Further, L. usitatissimum fixed oil showed a significant dose-dependent protective effect against CFA-induced arthritis as well. Secondary lesions produced by CFA due to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction were also reduced in a significant manner. Anti-inflammatory activity of L. usitatissimum fixed oil can be attributed to the presence of alpha linolenic acid (57.38%, an omega-3 fatty acid, 18:3, n-3) having dual inhibitory effect on arachidonate metabolism resulting in suppressed production of proinflammatory n-6 eicosanoids (PGE2, LTB4) and diminished vascular permeability. These observations suggest possible therapeutic potential of L. usitatissimum fixed oil in inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Arbro Pharmaceuticals Limited (New Delhi, India) for providing aspirin as a generous gift sample.

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The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, F.H.M.S., Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, 211007, India

    Gaurav Kaithwas

  2. Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Formerly College of Pharmacy, University of Delhi, Pushp Vihar, Sector III, New Delhi, 110017, India

    Dipak K. Majumdar

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  1. Gaurav Kaithwas
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  2. Dipak K. Majumdar
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Correspondence to Dipak K. Majumdar.

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Kaithwas, G., Majumdar, D.K. Therapeutic effect of Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed/linseed) fixed oil on acute and chronic arthritic models in albino rats. Inflammopharmacol 18, 127–136 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0033-9

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