This invention relates to methods and compositions for treating pathological lung conditions using whole-grain flaxseed or flaxseed lignans (isolated in form of the lignan precursor Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) directly from whole-grain flaxseed or chemically synthesized directly into the mammalian, readily metabolizable forms, Enterodiol (ED) or Enterolactone (EL). Such pathological condition result from oxidative lung injury such as ischemia-reperfusion injury (related to lung transplantation), radiation fibrosis and cancer. Specifically, the invention is directed to the use of flaxseed lignans in the treatment of acute and chronic lung injury as well as cancer.
