Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Flaxseed oral product: An effective strategy for reducing inflammatory responses in asthma in vivo

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
Mahboubeh Irani 1
Akram Alembagheri 2
Behnaz Keramatian 3
Fateme Jafari 3
Haniye Kashafroodi 3
Ameneh Omidi 4
Somayeh Esmaeili 5
1 PhD, Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD, Natural Products office, Food and Drug Administration, Tehran, Iran
3 MSc, Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 PhD, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
5 PhD, Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i877.2267
Abstract
Background: Asthma is an inflammatory lung disease that is increasing in prevalence. In traditional medicine, the use of flaxseed has been recommended for chronic cough and shortness of breath. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to formulate a flaxseed oral product and investigate its effect on ovalbumin-induced asthma in an animal model.
Methods: Initially, flaxseed oral product was formulated and quality controlled. Then, three doses of the obtained suspension including 0.67, 1.34 and 2 g.kg-1 were administered to asthmatic Balb/c mice by gavage. Then, various factors such as the degree of inflammation, levels of cytokines IL-13, IL-33, IL-5 and eosinophils, goblet cells and mucus secretions were evaluated and histopathological assessment of lung airways was performed by H&E and PAS staining.
Findings: Flaxseed suspension at a dose of 2 g.kg-1 had appropriate efficacy and the results of quality control and stability tests were acceptable. This product significantly reduced the level of inflammation and the levels of IL-13, IL-33 and eosinophils in asthmatic mice compared to the control group. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus secretion were also significantly reduced.
Discussion: Flaxseed oral product is effective in reducing the inflammatory response due to the reduction in the level of Th2 cell-related cytokines, the number of eosinophils, and the improvement of inflammatory lesions and the absence of edema,compared to dexamethasone in an animal model of ovalbumin-induced asthma, can be investigated as a complementary medicine for clinical trials of asthma.

Highlights

Mahboubeh Irani: Google Scholar , PubMed

Somayeh Esmaeili: Google Scholar , PubMed

Keywords
Traditional medicine
Linum usitatissimum L
Flax
Respiratory disorders
dexamethasone
Animal models
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 877
4th Week, October
September and October 2026
Pages 2267-2275

  • Receive Date 08 April 2025
  • Accept Date 27 June 2026