The present investigation summarizes the effect of Linum usitatissimum fixed oil against different phases of acute inflammatory reaction, namely, protein exudation, peritoneal capillary permeability, and leukocyte migration. The fixed oil exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of protein exudation vascular permeability, comparable to standard aspirin. The oil also inhibited the leukocyte migration in pleural exudates in a dose-dependent manner. Production of less vasodilatory (PGE3) and chemotactic (LTB5) eicosanoids through EPA (derived from linolenic acid) metabolism could account for the above observations. 1. Introduction Linum usitatissimum L, (also known as common flax or linseed) an annual herb believed to have originated in Egypt, is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. The seeds produce a fixed oil known as linseed oil or flaxseed oil. It is one of the oldest commercial oils, and solvent processed flaxseed oil has been used for centuries as a drying oil in painting and varnishing. Raw oil is used as an astringent in fungicidal lotion and as an insecticide and has moderate insect repellent properties [1]. The oil contains unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid (12–30%), linoleic acid (8–29%), and linolenic acid (35–67%) [2]. These fatty acids appear to render drying property to the oil. In earlier studies, the L. usitatissimum fixed oil has been reported to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory [3], antiarthritic [4], antiulcer [5], and antidiabetic [6] properties along with the efficacy against experimental esophagitis in experimental animals [7]. The antimicrobial activity of L. usitatissimum oil and its therapeutic efficacy in bovine mastitis, an inflammatory disorder caused by microbial infection, has been reported recently [8]. Considering the significant anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity, the present study has been undertaken to evaluate the possible effect of fixed oil against distinct phases of inflammation using suitable animal models. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Materials 2.1.1. Plant Material Flaxseed/linseed (Variety: JL-59) was obtained from The Division of Seed Science, Department of Agronomy, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University (AAI-DU), Allahabad, India. The seeds were authenticated at The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI, CSIR), Lucknow, India, and the voucher sample was deposited at NBRI. 2.1.2. Extraction of Oil Seeds were crushed and cold macerated in petroleum ether (40–60°C) for 7 days. Petroleum ether was evaporated from the extract, and the oil was filtered to clarity.
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