Characterization of ultrasonically extracted flaxseed polysaccharide gum and assessing its lipid‐lowering potential in a rat model

Flaxseed polysaccharide gum (FPG) was extracted through the ultrasound‐assisted process using water as a solvent with a yield ranging from 8.05 ± 0.32% to 12.23 ± 0.45% by changing different extraction variables. The extracted FPG was analyzed for its functional groups and antioxidant potential. The maximum DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity (≈100%) of FPG was noted at concentrations beyond ≈10 mg·ml(−1). The maximum inhibition percentage through ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis 3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (72.4% ± 1.9%) was noted at 40 mg·ml(−1), which was observed to be less when compared to DPPH at the same concentration. The total antioxidant potential of the FPG solution at a concentration of 10 mg·ml(−1) was equivalent to 461 mg ascorbic acid, which tends to increase with concentration at a much lower scope. The in vivo trial suggested that the least weight gain was noted in experimental groups G(2) and Gh(2). A significant reduction in total cholesterol was noticed in G(1) (−14.14%) and G(2) (−17.72%) and in Gh(1) (−22.02%) and Gh(2) (−34.68%) after 60 days of the trial compared to the baseline values. The maximum reduction in total triglyceride was observed in Gh(2) (−25.06%) and Gh(1) (−22.01%) after 60 days of the trial. It was an increasing trend in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c) in different experimental groups G(2) (10.51%) than G(1) (5.35%) and Gh(2) (48.96%) and Gh(1) (31.11%), respectively, after 60 days of study interval. Reduction of −5.05% and − 9.45% was observed in G(1) and G(2), while similar results were observed in Gh(1) and Gh(2). Conclusively, results suggested a possible protective role of FPG against hyperlipidemia.