Lignan is a kind of phytoestrogen,and it is found in most of plants with flaxseed as the richest source. Studies showed that flaxseed lignan has various physiological functions such as blood lipids lowering, cardiovascular problems prevention, antioxidation, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiatherosclerosis. Even though there are a few articles about the effects of flaxseed lignans on antiatherosclerosis, the mechanisms of the effects remains to be further studied. Atherosclerosis is multiple, chronic and inflammatory disease, which occurs at the artery. Even though the exact mechanisms of its pathogenesis is still unknown,many studies reveal that hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction are risk factors of atherosclerosis. The improvement of flaxseed lignan on atherosclerosis was reviewed to provide guidance for the development of flaxseed lignan functional food. |