Lignan complex derived from flaxseed as hypercholesterolemic and anti-atherosclerotic agent

Abstract

A method is described for treating hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis or for reducing total cholesterol while raising high-density lipoportoein cholesterol. It involves administering to a patient a substantially pure complex derived from flaxseed and containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), cinnamic acid glucosides and hydroxymethyl glutaric acid.

1. A method for treating hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis or for reducing total cholesterol while raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which comprises administering to a patient an effective amount of  human or non-human animal a composition comprising a substantially pure complex having a purity of at least  95 %  derived from flaxseed and containing about 34 to 37% by weight secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), about 13 to 21% by weight cinnamic acid glucosides and about 9.6 to 11.0% by weight hydroxymethyl glutaric acid. 
     
     
       2. A  The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cinnamic acid glucosides include coumaric acid glucoside and ferulic acid glucoside. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substantially pure complex is greater than  95 % pure. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substantially pure complex has a nominal molecular weight of about  30 , 000  to  100 , 000 . 
     
     
       5. A method for reducing or treating hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis, comprising:
 administering a composition comprising a complex comprising up to  50 % secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, up to  25 % cinnamic acid glucosides and up to  10 % hydroxymethyl-glutaric acid to a human or non-human animal;    wherein the complex is capable of reducing serum cholesterol in the mammal upon oral administration of a daily dose of  20 - 60  mg of the complex per kg body weight of the mammal.   
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the composition takes a form selected from the group consisting of a tablet, a capsule, and a food. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising extracting the complex from flaxseed.