DESCRIPTION
Secoisolariciresinol diglycoside, or SDG, is a plant lignan most notably found in flaxseed (linseed). SDG is classified as a phytoestrogen since it is a plant-derived, nonsteroid compound that possesses estrogen-like activity. SDG has weak estrogenic activity. The level of SDG in flaxseed typically varies between 0.6% and 1.8%.
Lignans are one of the two major classes of phytoestrogens; the other class is the isoflavones. Plant lignans are polyphenolic substances derived from phenylalanine via dimerization of substituted cinnamic alcohols. Mammalian lignans are lignans derived from plant lignans.
ACTIONS
SDG has estrogenic and antioxidant activities. It may also have antiestrogenic, anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and antidiabetic activities.
SDG has estrogenic and antioxidant activities. It may also have antiestrogenic, anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and antidiabetic activities.
Metabolism and mechanism of lignans
Lignans are natural compounds with two or three molecules of benzene propyl′s combination by various modalities. Being phytoestrogen, flax lignans can bind to estrogen receptors and interfere hormone metabolism as soya isoflavones and red clover isoflavones. The main ingredient of flax lignans is secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (so called SDG), SDG is the precursor of mammal lignans because it is converted into enterolactone (EL) and enterodiol (ED) after ingestion because of hydrolyzed and participation of enzyme as well as colonic bacteria. Dietary flaxseed obviously increases EL and ED concentrations in plasma up to 200 and 48 times respectively.
