Objective: This research investigated secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) flax extract effects on apoptosis, hedgehog (Hh), autophagy, and the anti-oxidation process in experimentally induced obesity. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were separated into two sets regarding either receiving a nor¬mal balanced diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) and then distributed into four groups: GI: The control group had a regular diet for 12 weeks. GII: animals received a high-fat meal and saline by gastric gavage. GIII: HFD obese rats treated with SDG extract orally (10 mg/kg/b.w.) and 1.18 mg SDG/kg in the diet for 4 weeks GIV: Normal balanced diet rats received SDG extract orally (10 mg/kg/b.w.) and 1.18 mg SDG/kg of chow for 12 weeks in addition to their regular balanced diet. Results: The administration of SDG extract exhibited a significant drop in body weight, glucose, lipid profile, and leptin compared to the obese group. It also improved the antioxidant levels (lowering the levels of malondialdehyde while increasing the total antioxidant capacity) and anti-inflammatory status (decreasing interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). SDG extract downregulates the expression of HH genes (protein patched homolog 1, Hh-interacting protein, glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1, and smoothened receptor) in conjunction with the mod¬ulation of autophagy genes and apoptotic proteins. Conclusion: SDG extract showed improved anti-inflammatory and antioxidant status and down¬regulated the expression of HH genes while modulating autophagy genes and apoptotic proteins among obese rats, suggesting that it may be used to avert and manage obesity and its correlated complications by modulating oxidation, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. Advanced future research on the SDG autophagy pathway to address obesity and its complications is mandatory. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(2.000): 321-335]

Phytoestrogens are non-steroid polyphenolic materials present in 300 plants. Regarding their structural similarities to estradiol, phytoestrogens attach to estrogen receptors and display anti-or pro-estrogenic activities. This review explored phytoestrogens' potential advantages and autophagy properties in light of their future application for disease management, highlighting how phytoestrogens could modulate autophagy. Research has examined the prospective benefits of phytoestrogens for the anticipation and management of various conditions, including signs of menopause, tumors, skin deterioration, osteoporosis, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, disorders of the immune system, and metabolic syndrome, owing to their therapeutic effects. As phytoestrogens can activate or inhibit autophagy, which has antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-mutagenic, anticancer, transcriptional, and genomic impacts on cancer and aging illnesses, phytoestrogens could influence diseases through the modulation of autophagy. The collaborative research on animal models, utilization of genetic techniques, and administration of pharmacolog¬ically active substances has indicated the possible therapeutic benefits of autophagy modulation in various illnesses. Further research is required to illustrate the pathways by which phytoestro¬gens modulate autophagy and the possible therapeutic effects on these diseases. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(2.000): 308-320]