SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF LINUM USITATISSIMUM (LINN.) INGESTION IN NEW ZEALAND RABBITS

Background: The therapeutic safety of herbal medicine is a major concern for consumers and users. After studying the effects of linseed on hair growth in rabbits, the turn is to evaluate its safety by the observation of some clinical, biological and anatomo-pathological aspects. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted during a period of three months on two groups of rabbits (control and test). Test group daily received feed supplemented with 3g of ground linseed while the control animals received the same feed without any additives. Weekly, rabbits were weighed and monthly blood samples were taken. By the end of the trial, liver and kidneys biopsies were analyzed for histological and cytological lesions. Results: There was no significant improvement in weight gain in the test group rabbits, in which biochemical parameters had differentially evolved with a decrease in their Glycemia and cholesterolemia. There were also no modifications in their serum hepatic and renal marker enzymes and their liver and kidneys exhibited noticeably normal histology without any anatomically detectable anomalies. Conclusion: These findings confirm that prolonged linseed ingestion in rabbits is safe

Evaluation of crude flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) oil in burn wound healing in New Zealand rabbits

Background: Burns are among the most prevalent injuries in humans with high cost in health care and heavy prolonged or permanent physical, psychological and social consequences. Commercial antimicrobial creams and dressing agents are unsuccessful in healing deep burn wounds.Materials and Methods: A study was conducted to assess the impact of crude linseed oil (LSO) topical application on burn wounds healing in rabbits in comparison with untreated wounds (NAT) and those treated with Vaseline gel(VAG) and Cicatryl-Bio ointment (CBO). By the 28th day post burning, skin biopsies were analyzed for histological and cytological lesions. The presence of various bioactive phytochemical groups in linseed was also screened.Results: Phytochemical screening has resulted in high concentrations of flavonoids and terpenoids, low amounts of catechic tannins and total absence of alkaloids and saponosides. All along the trial, the rate of wounds contraction was found to be significantly higher in burns treated with LSO which had also a significant shorter healing period (26±5.89 days) as compared to the other treatments. LSO healed wounds included less inflammatory cells, complete epithelium regeneration with a reduced thickness of the new formed dermis, discreet fibrosis, enhanced neo-vascularization, increased number of collagen fibers, fibroblasts and many myofibroblasts. Additionally, no adverse effects of LSO on cicatrization process were recorded.Conclusion: These findings prove the safety and efficaciousness of linseed oil topical application in the therapy of burn wounds.Keywords: Linseed oil, phytochemical screening, topical application, burn wounds, healing, rabbit