Title:A Comprehensive Review on Linum usitatissimum Medicinal Plant: Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Ethnomedicinal Uses
Volume: 21
Issue: 18
Author(s): Yeasmin Akter, Md. Junaid, Syeda Samira Afrose, Afsana Nahrin, Muhammad Shaiful Alam, Tania Sharmin, Rasheda Akter and S.M. Zahid Hosen*
Affiliation:
- Molecular Modeling Drug-Design and Discovery Laboratory, Pharmacology Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Chattogram, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Chattogram,Bangladesh
Keywords:
Linum usitatissimum, flax, botanical characterization, ethnobotanical and pharmacological uses, chemical constituents,
anti-obesity.
Abstract:
Background: Linum usitatissimum or flax has been broadly utilized in numerous milieus
worldwide as a primeval medicinal plant because of its health benefits in diverse types of diseases.
Objective: The objective of this review is to assemble the latest information on the botanical description,
distribution, conventional uses, and biochemical constituents, along with the pharmacological
activities and toxicity of flax.
Methods: For this purpose, data on Linum was accumulated from scientific journals, books, and
worldwide acknowledged scientific databases via a library and electronic search.
Results: Phytochemical analysis showed that the major chemical constituents of L. usitatissimum are
ω-3 fatty acid, phytoestrogenic-lignans (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside-SDG), phenols, flavonoids,
sterols, proteins, antioxidants as well as various soluble and insoluble fibres. Among them, secoisolariciresinol
diglucosides (SDG) are the major bioactive compounds of L. usitatissimum with prospective
pharmacological accomplishments. Pure compounds and crude extracts isolated from L. usitatissimum
exhibited significant anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antidiabetic,
anti-diarrheal, anti-malarial, hepato-protective, reno-protective, immunosuppressive, antiarrhythmic,
and cognitive effects. Studies indicated that the toxicological effect from the consumption
of flaxseed is because of its cyanogenic glycosides, linatine, and cadmium, but the level does not seem
to be adequately concentrated to contribute to any physiological impact.
Conclusions: Further studies are expected to comprehend the detailed mode of action of its dynamic
constituents as potent therapeutics and to completely reveal its preventive and healing potentials.
