gastric pH levels along with decreasing the total gastric acid secretion (Toma et al.
2014). Further, the acute toxicity testing showed no effect of safflower seed oil at a
dose of 5 g/kg on mortality, feeding, water consumption, bodyweight, or any other
physiological factors when compared to the control group and safflower seed oil was
found to be non-toxic (Toma et al. 2014). The anti-ulcerogenic activity of safflower
seed oil might be due to the cytoprotective activity in gastric mucosa. The
cytoprotective effect might be imparted by a lot of linolenic acids present in the
oil. New scientific studies related to this pathology need to be carried out (Toma et al.
2014).
17.4.4 Estrogen Modulating Activity
Safflower seeds contain various polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids,
glycosides, and lignins. Some of these compounds have been known to exhibit
weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activities in mammals and are thus termed as
phytoestrogens (Dixon 2004).
Tracheloside, a lignan glycoside isolated from safflower seeds, has been reported
to significantly decrease the activity of an estrogen-inducible marker enzyme,
alkaline phosphatase. Tracheloside exhibited efficient anti-estrogenic activity comparable to the commercially available drug tamoxifen, that is used to treat breast
cancer by inhibiting the estrogenic effect on breast cancer cells (Yoo et al. 2006).
Lignans, flavones, and serotonin extracts in safflower work as phytoestrogens and
also regulate the metabolism of bone protection and bone formation (Kang et al.
1999).
Safflower seed flavonoids and lignans representing the physiological effects
similar to that of estrogen (phytoestrogens) have also exhibited anti-carcinogenic
properties apart from antioxidant, serum cholesterol regulation, and bone health
improvement properties (Draper et al. 1997; Anderson and Garner 1997).
Phytoestrogens have been reported to reduce bone resorption and bone loss in
oophorectomized rat models. Administration of phytoestrogens led to decreased
excretion of calcium via urine and greatly reduced the bone resorption (Draper
et al. 1997). Phytoestrogens extracted from defatted safflower seed meal have been
shown to improve blood lipid status and cholesterol excretion in estrogen-deficient
ovariectomized animal models without affecting the uterotropic action.
Phytoestrogens imparted the estrogenic effects to the estrogen-deficient rat models
and ameliorated the negative effects related to the deficiency of estrogen (Cho et al.
2004). Phytoestrogens along with estrogenic effects also possess anti-androgenic
activity. Reduction in prostate weight and in testosterone levels has been observed in
castrated rats following the administration of safflower seed extracts at a dose of
300 mg/kg body weight (Rashed et al. 2014).
17 Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Seed
435
2014). Further, the acute toxicity testing showed no effect of safflower seed oil at a
dose of 5 g/kg on mortality, feeding, water consumption, bodyweight, or any other
physiological factors when compared to the control group and safflower seed oil was
found to be non-toxic (Toma et al. 2014). The anti-ulcerogenic activity of safflower
seed oil might be due to the cytoprotective activity in gastric mucosa. The
cytoprotective effect might be imparted by a lot of linolenic acids present in the
oil. New scientific studies related to this pathology need to be carried out (Toma et al.
2014).
17.4.4 Estrogen Modulating Activity
Safflower seeds contain various polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids,
glycosides, and lignins. Some of these compounds have been known to exhibit
weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activities in mammals and are thus termed as
phytoestrogens (Dixon 2004).
Tracheloside, a lignan glycoside isolated from safflower seeds, has been reported
to significantly decrease the activity of an estrogen-inducible marker enzyme,
alkaline phosphatase. Tracheloside exhibited efficient anti-estrogenic activity comparable to the commercially available drug tamoxifen, that is used to treat breast
cancer by inhibiting the estrogenic effect on breast cancer cells (Yoo et al. 2006).
Lignans, flavones, and serotonin extracts in safflower work as phytoestrogens and
also regulate the metabolism of bone protection and bone formation (Kang et al.
1999).
Safflower seed flavonoids and lignans representing the physiological effects
similar to that of estrogen (phytoestrogens) have also exhibited anti-carcinogenic
properties apart from antioxidant, serum cholesterol regulation, and bone health
improvement properties (Draper et al. 1997; Anderson and Garner 1997).
Phytoestrogens have been reported to reduce bone resorption and bone loss in
oophorectomized rat models. Administration of phytoestrogens led to decreased
excretion of calcium via urine and greatly reduced the bone resorption (Draper
et al. 1997). Phytoestrogens extracted from defatted safflower seed meal have been
shown to improve blood lipid status and cholesterol excretion in estrogen-deficient
ovariectomized animal models without affecting the uterotropic action.
Phytoestrogens imparted the estrogenic effects to the estrogen-deficient rat models
and ameliorated the negative effects related to the deficiency of estrogen (Cho et al.
2004). Phytoestrogens along with estrogenic effects also possess anti-androgenic
activity. Reduction in prostate weight and in testosterone levels has been observed in
castrated rats following the administration of safflower seed extracts at a dose of
300 mg/kg body weight (Rashed et al. 2014).
17 Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Seed
435