Hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects of flaxseed chutney: Evidence from animal studies

Rats fed with hypercholesterolemic diet showed a significant increase in serum total-cholesterol, liver homogenate total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and changed LDL-cholesterol, and HDL/LDL ratio in comparison to control. Flaxseedchutney (FC) supplemented diet (15%, w/w) was found to be more effective in restoring lipid profile changes in rats fed with cholesterol, (1.0%). The activities of serum marker enzymes glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were elevated significantly in carbon tetrachloride induced rats. Administration of flaxseedchutney (15%, w/w) resulted in depletion of serum marker enzymes and exhibited recoupment thus showing significant hepatoprotective effect. It was observed that flaxseedchutney supplemented diet could lower the serum cholesterol and as a potential source of antioxidants it could exert protection against hepatotoxic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats.