Modulatory Effects of Ethanol-derived Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) Extract on Hepatic Malondialdehyde Concentrations and Steatosis in Male Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Subjected to a High-fat, High-fructose Diet
Michael Olivier Wijaya *
Biomedical Anti-Aging Medicine Magister Program, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia.
Desak Made Wihandani
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Bali, Indonesia.
Bagus Komang Satriyasa
Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study evaluated the effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) ethanol extract on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and fatty liver scores in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) induced with such a diet.
Study Design: This was a randomized post-test only control group design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted over seven months at Integrated Biomedical Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar.
Methodology: Male wistar rat (Rattus novergicus) age 2-3 months with body weight 180-220 grams were used as subjects. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: normal control (K), high-fat, high-fructose control (K1), and three treatment groups (P1, P2, P3) receiving flaxseed extract at 200, 400, and 800 mg/kgBW, respectively, for 35 days. MDA levels (nmol/ml) and fatty liver scores (%) were assessed to evaluate oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn post hoc test due to non-normal distribution.
Results: Group K1 showed the highest mean MDA level (3.53 nmol/ml), while treatment groups P1, P2, and P3 showed reductions to 2.40, 2.09, and 1.16 nmol/ml, respectively. Similarly, fatty liver scores decreased from 66.60% in K1 to 53.33% (P1), 41.44% (P2), and 19.78% (P3). However, the MDA and fatty liver scores difference between treatment and control group were not significant (p>0,05).
Conclusion: Flaxseed extract administration tended to lower oxidative stress and hepatic fat accumulation in rats fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet, though the effects were not statistically significant. Further studies are needed to confirm its therapeutic potential.
Keywords: Flaxseed extract (Linum usitatissimum), MDA, fatty liver, high-fat high-fructose diet