Med. Weter. 81
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| KATIBA BEROUAL, MOHAMED CHERIF ABDELDJELIL , ABDELDJELIL LALOUNA, SABER BEGHOUL, SIHEM HALMI, SEDDIK KEBBAL, MOHAMED ZAOUANI, NORA MIMOUNE |
| Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Two Anesthetic Combinations and Administration Routes on Lacrimal Secretion in Gerbils. |
| Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil, is a widely used traditional remedy obtained by grinding and pressing the seeds of flax or linseed plant (Linum usitatissimum). This study investigated the fatty acid profile and antioxidant activity of this oil. Its safety was also investigated by studying its cytotoxicity on Artemia salina larvae and its irritation potential on a rabbit model. The analysis of the GC-MS chromatogram showed three major unsaturated fatty acids representing 84.38% of the oil’s fatty acid composition: linolenic acid (45.11%), oleic acid (22.04%), and linoleic acid (17.23%). The other less represented constituents were saturated fatty acids: stearic acid (8.60%) and palmitic acid (7.03%). In the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity test (CUPRAC method), flaxseed oil showed antioxidant activity. However, it was less than that of the other antioxidant standards. As part of the brine shrimp lethality test, LC50 was not reached within the concentration range tested and was therefore considered to be greater than 80 μg/mL. In vivo tests did not show any ocular irritation effect of the oil, while a slight irritation was observed on the abraded skin of rabbits. Thus, our data indicate preliminary cutaneous tolerance after a single application, which should be confirmed in repeated-application and skinsensitization studies before recommending any dermatological or cosmetic use. In addition, the absence of visible irritation after a single ocular application suggests that flaxseed oil may be considered a good candidate for further investigation as an ophthalmic vehicle.. |
| Keywords: Flaxseed oil; fatty acid profile; antioxidant activity; brine shrimp lethality test; in vivo irritation tests. |