Seeds of flax or linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) are important nutraceutical foods with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, laxative, and antibacterial properties. Flaxseed oil and seeds are the richest vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids. Consumption of flaxseeds helps in prevention and control of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, gout, liver and kidney dysfunction, oxidative stress-related diseases, post-menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, dry eye disease, cystic fibrosis, diarrhea, and cancer, particularly of the mammary and prostate gland cancer. Of late, flaxseed is gaining more importance not only because of its industrial values but also due to its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. The literature review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from 1995 onwards. Data was also obtained from websites/books/book chapters.

Objective: To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR were divided into four groups; WKY control, SHR control and SHR treated with EGCG (50 mg/kg/day) or losartan (10 mg/kg/day). The treatment was given daily for 4 weeks by oral gavage and the blood pressure was monitored by tail-cuff method every 3 days. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations were assessed in isolated phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings at the end of treatment. The vascular levels of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, tetrahydrobiopterin, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate were also measured. Moreover, the expression of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 (AT₁) receptor protein was determined. Results: The systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased in SHR treated with EGCG. The impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly improved in aortic ring isolated from the EGCG-treated SHR group. EGCG also significantly increased the levels of nitric oxide, tetrahydrobiopterin, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, while decreasing the level of reactive oxygen species and the protein expression of AT₁ receptor in SHR. Conclusions: EGCG attenuates endothelial dysfunction in SHR by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing vascular nitric oxide bioavailability, which may be modulated partly by inhibition of vascular AT₁ receptors. An increase in endothelium-dependent relaxation may contribute to a decrease in blood pressure in hypertensive animals.

Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of cryptotanshinone against cladribine-induced cognitive impairment in rats. Methods: Rats were administered with cladribine (1 mg/kg, p.o.) and cryptotanshinone (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) for four weeks. Behavioral tests such as Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were conducted to check memory impairment caused by cladribine. On day 29, all rats were sacrificed, and the brains were separated for estimation of neuroinflammatory factors, biochemical parameters, neurotransmitters, Aβ_(1-42), blood-brain barrier permeability, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Results: Treatment with cryptotanshinone dose-dependently enhanced spatial memory, improved the levels of neurotransmitter and antioxidant enzymes, and suppressed proinflammatory cytokine release. Cryptotanshinone also decreased Aβ_(1-42) accumulation and increased the levels of Nrf2 and BDNF in the hippocampus. Additionally, the histopathological results showed that cryptotanshinone reduced cladribine-induced neuronal death in the hippocampus. Conclusions: Cryptotanshinone exhibits a promising neuroprotective effect against cladribine-induced cognitive impairment in preclinical studies, and may be a potential phytochemical for the treatment and management of cognitive impairment.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of myricetin on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis in mice. Methods: Mice were sensitized and challenged using OVA (5%, 500 mL) intraperitoneally and intranasally, respectively, on an alternative day for 14 days, followed by administration of myricetin (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) till day 21. Nasal symptoms, biochemical parameters, protein expressions, and histopathology were observed. Results: OVA-induced increased nasal symptoms including rubbing, sneezing, and discharge were significantly reduced by myricetin (100 and 200 mg/kg) (P<0.05). Myricetin also protected against histamine challenge and attenuated elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE; total and OVA-specific), total IgG1, and β-hexosaminidase levels, as well as leukotriene C4 and interleukins levels in nasal lavage fluid (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that myricetin significantly upregulated the protein expression of T-box expressed in T cells, while downregulating the protein expression of GATA binding protein 3, NF-κB, and IκB-α (P<0.05). Additionally, OVA-induced histopathological abberations in the nasal mucosa was markedly ameliorated by myricetin treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions: Myricetin exerts anti-allergic effects against OVA-induced allergic rhinitis via regulating Th1/Th2 balance.

Objective: To synthesize magnesium oxide nanoparticles using ethanol extract of shoots of Plicosepalus curviflorus (PC-MgONPs) and evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative activities of PC-MgONPs. Methods: The green synthesized PC-MgONPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, energy dispersive X-ray, and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, we investigated total antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities using breast cancer cell lines (MDA-231). Results: The UV spectrum of PC-MgONPs showed a sharp absorption peak at 300 nm. The presence of magnesium, oxygen, and sodium was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Scanning electron microscopy revealed PC-MgONPs as roughly spherical granular structures with sizes ranging from 20.0 to 76.4 nm. PC-MgONPs showed considerable antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans with zones of inhibition of 11-17 mm. In addition, total antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity of PC-MgONPs against MDA-231 cells were dose-dependent. Conclusions: The synthesized PC-MgONPs could be a potent antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-cancer agent, which needs further investigation.