Research Update:Black Sesame or Sesamum indicum L.

  seminal trace...Black Sesame Seed Extract.10:1.Black Sesame Seed.Sesamum indicum L Semen Sesami Indici.

 


   Phytochemical info of Black Sesame Seed.Sesamum indicum L.

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 Definition:Black Sesame Seed.Sesamum indicum L are majorly composed of
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   Research Update:Black Sesame or Sesamum indicum L.

  Flavones from flowers of Sesamum indicum.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2007 Apr;32(7):603-5. Chinese.Hu YM, Wang H, Ye WC, Zhao SX.Department of Phytochemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.

 OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from flowers of Sesamum indicum. METHOD: Column chromatography with silica gel, C18 and Sephadex LH -20 as packing materials was used to separate the chemical constituents, and the structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. RESULT: Six flavones were isolated and elucidated as apigenin (1), ladanetin (2), ladanetin-6-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), apigenin-7-O-glucuronic acid (4), pedalitin (5), and pedalitin-6-O-glucoside (6). CONCLUSION: All of the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

  Susceptibility of human pathogenic bacteria to antimicrobial peptides from sesame kernels.:Curr Microbiol. 2007 Aug;55(2):162-6. Epub 2007 Jun 14.Costa FT, Neto SM, Bloch C, Franco OL.Centro de An¨¢lises Prote?micas e Bioqu¨ªmicas, Programa de P¨®s-Gradua??o em Ci¨ºncias Gen?micas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Cat¨®lica de Bras¨ªlia, SGAN, Quadra 916, M¨®dulo B, Av. W5 Norte, 70.790-160, Asa Norte, Bras¨ªlia-DF, Brazil, ocfranco@pos.ucb.br.

 Hospital infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria is a serious and common problem, especially in developing countries. Aiming to reduce these infections, this report focuses on the identification and characterization of novel antimicrobial peptides from sesame (Sesamum indicum) kernel meals. Thus, sesame flour was extracted and precipitated with ammonium sulfate (100%). After dialysis, a rich fraction was applied to affinity red-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated the presence of a major peptide with molecular mass of approximately 5.8 kDa in both cultivars. The bactericidal activities of antimicrobial peptides were evaluated against several human pathogens that had been effective only against Klebsiella sp., a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for human urinary infection. These data indicate the biotechnological potential of sesame peptides as an alternative method for hospital infection control and also the decrease of bacterial resistance to synthetic antibiotics.

  Chemical constituents from flos Sesamum indicum L.:Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2007 Mar;42(3):286-91. Chinese.Hu YM, Ye WC, Yin ZQ, Zhao SX.Department of Phytochemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.

 Sesame (Sesamum indicum L. ) belongs to Pedaliaceae, and its dry flowers have been used to cure alopecia, frostbite and constipation as a Traditional Chinese Medicine. Interestingly, the Flos Sesamum indicum L. was usually used to cure verruca vulgaris and verruca plana in folk of China, and showed a pleasant result. Previous chemical investigations of this plant mainly concentrate on its seeds, showed the presence of proteins and fat oils, herein we make a systematic chemical research on the dry flowers of this plant. Column chromatography including silica gel, C18 and Sephadex LH-20 were used to separate the chemical constituents and the structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Ten compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the plant and elucidated as latifonin (1), momor-cerebroside (2), soya-cerebroside II (3), 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3S, 4R, 5E,9Z)-2-N-(2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl) 1,3,4-trihydroxy-5,9-octadienine (4), 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3S, 4R, 8Z)-2-N-(2' R) 2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl) 3,4-dihydroxy-8-octadene (5), (2S, 1" S) -aurantiamide acetate (6), benzyl alcohol-O-(2'-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl, 3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), beta-sitosterol (8), daucosterol (9) and D-galacititol (10). Among them, 4 is a new compound, and others were isolated from the flowers of the plant for the first time. Compounds 2 to 4 belong to cerebroside, which is rare to be found in land plants and was proved to possess many bioactivities.

  New lignans from the perisperm of Sesamum indicum.:J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Oct 4;54(20):7570-4.Grougnet R, Magiatis P, Mitaku S, Terzis A, Tillequin F, Skaltsounis AL.Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece.

 A procedure, based on XAD-4 adsorption resin, which permits the obtainment of enriched polyphenolic extracts from Sesamum indicum perisperm (coat) has been developed. Chemical analysis of the obtained extracts led to the identification of 16 lignans. Among them, two new lignans, (+)-saminol and (+)-episesaminone-9-O-beta-D-sophoroside, have been isolated. Additionally, the relative stereochemistry of (-)-sesamolactol, previously reported as todolactol A epimer, has been unequivocally defined using X-ray crystallography. The structures of all new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by the concerted application of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and mass spectroscopy.

  Molecular and Biochemical Characterizations of Dehydroascorbate Reductase from Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Hairy Root Cultures.:J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Jul 25;55(15):6067-6073. Epub 2007 Jun 30.

 Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) is a biotechnologically or physiologically important reducing enzyme in the ascorbate-glutathione recycling reaction for most higher plants. A DHAR cDNA was isolated from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) hairy roots, and its structure and biochemical properties were characterized to provide some information about its expressional and biochemical profiles in the hairy root cultures. The cDNA contained a catalytic motif CXXS, which may be indicative of a thiol-dependent redox function. A fusion DHAR expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system was purified with four purification steps until a homogeneous single band signal was seen in an acrylamide gel, and its antibody was prepared for Western blot analyses. The biochemical results showed that the purified recombinant DHAR had an optimal pH of around 6.0, which was different from those (pH 7.8-8.2) of other plant species. The temperature optimal for the DHAR activity was in a relatively wide range of 30-60 degrees C. It was proved by a real-time RT-PCR technique that the transcription activity of the DHAR was about 2-5-fold higher during the first 3 week cultures than during the latter 3 week ones. The highest activity of the sesame DHAR was detected in the 4 week cultures of the hairy roots, after which its activity was rapidly decreased to approximately 80%, suggesting that the most active DHAR occurred in this culture period. Western blot analyses confirmed that the presence of DHAR enzyme was identified in both cultures of the fused E. coli and the sesame hairy roots. Keywords: Dehydroascorbate reductase; differential expression; hairy root cultures; protein purification; real-time RT-PCR; recombinant DHAR; Sesamum indicum L.


  Changes in leaf cuticular waxes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plants exposed to water deficit.:J Plant Physiol. 2006 Aug 10;Kim KS, Park SH, Jenks MA.Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Mokpo National University, Muan 534-729, Republic of Korea.

 Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops, having seeds and oil that are highly valued as a traditional health food. The objective of this study was to evaluate leaf cuticular wax constituents across a diverse selection of sesame cultivars, and the responses of these waxes to drought-induced wilting. Water-deficit was imposed on 18 sesame cultivars by withholding irrigation for 15d during the post-flowering stage, and the effect on seed yield and leaf waxes compared with a well-watered control. Leaf cuticular waxes were dominated by alkanes (59% of total wax), with aldehydes being the next-most abundant class. Compared to well-irrigated plants, drought treatment caused an increase in wax amount on most cultivars, with only three cultivars having a notable reduction. When expressed as an average across all cultivars, drought treatment caused a 30% increase in total wax amount, with a 34% increase in total alkanes, a 13% increase in aldehydes, and a 28% increase in the total of unknowns. In all cultivars, the major alkane constituents were the C27, C29, C31, C33, and C35 homologs, whereas the major aldehydes were the C30, C32, and C34 homologs, and drought exposure had only minor effects on the chain length distribution within these and other wax classes. Drought treatments caused a large decrease in seed yield per plant, but did not affect the mean weight of individual seeds, showing that sesame responds to post-flowering drought by reducing seed numbers, but not seed size. Seed yield was inversely correlated with the total wax amount (-0.466*), indicating that drought induction of leaf wax deposition does not contribute directly to seed set. Further studies are needed to elucidate the ecological role for induction of the alkane metabolic pathway by drought in regulating sesame plant survival and seed development in water-limiting environments.

  Seed-specific expression of sesame microsomal oleic acid desaturase is controlled by combinatorial properties between negative cis-regulatory elements in the SeFAD2 promoter and enhancers in the 5'-UTR intron.:Mol Genet Genomics. 2006 Oct;276(4):351-68. Epub 2006 Jul 22.Kim MJ, Kim H, Shin JS, Chung CH, Ohlrogge JB, Suh MC.School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, South Korea.

 The regulation of genes involved in primary lipid metabolism in plants is much less well understood than that in many other pathways in plant biology. In the investigation reported here, we have characterized transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling seed-specific FAD2 expression in sesame (Sesamum indicum). FAD2 codes for extra-plastidial FAD2 desaturase, which catalyzes the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid. Promoter analysis of the sesame FAD2 gene (SeFAD2) using the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter system demonstrated that the - 660 to - 180 promoter region functions as a negative cis-element in the seed-specific expression of the SeFAD2 gene. Sesame and Arabidopsis FAD2 genes harbor one large intron within their 5'-untranslated region. These introns conferred up to 100-fold enhancement of GUS expression in transgenic Arabidopsis tissues as compared with intron-less controls. Prerequisite cis-elements for the SeFAD2 intron-mediated enhancement of gene expression and the promoter-like activity of SeFAD2 intron were identified. SeFAD2 transcripts were induced by abscisic acid (ABA) in developing sesame seeds, and the - 660 to - 548 and - 179 to - 53 regions in the SeFAD2 promoter were implicated in ABA-responsive signaling. Theses observations indicate that an intron-mediated regulatory mechanism is involved in controlling not only the seed-specific expression of the SeFAD2 gene but also the expression of plant FAD2 genes, which are essential for the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

  Anthrasesamones D and E from Sesamum indicum roots.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2006 Jul;70(7):1784-5.

 Two anthraquinone derivatives, named anthrasesamones D and E, were isolated from the roots of Sesamum indicum. Their respective structures were determined to be 1,2,4-trihydroxy-3-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)anthraquinone and 1,2-dihydroxy-3-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)anthraquinone on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

  Nondestructive determination of lignans and lignan glycosides in sesame seeds by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.:J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Jun 28;54(13):4544-50.Kim KS, Park SH, Choung MG.Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Mokpo National University, Muan 534-729, Korea.

 Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) contains abundant lignans including lipid-soluble lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) and water-soluble lignan glycosides (sesaminol triglucoside and sesaminol diglucoside) related to antioxidative activity. In this study, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to develop a rapid and nondestructive method for the determination of lignan contents on intact sesame seeds. Ninety-three intact seeds were scanned in the reflectance mode of a scanning monochromator. This scanning procedure did not require the pulverization of samples, allowing each analysis to be completed within minutes. Reference values for lignan contents were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Calibration equations for lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) and lignan glycosides (sesaminol triglucoside and sesaminol diglucoside) contents were developed using modified partial least squares regression with internal cross-validation (n = 63). The equations obtained had low standard errors of cross-validation and moderate R2 (coefficient of determination in calibration). The prediction of an external validation set (n = 30) showed significant correlation between reference values and NIRS predicted values based on the SEP (standard error of prediction), bias, and r2 (coefficient of determination in prediction). The models developed in this study had relatively higher values (more than 2.0) of SD/SEP(C) for all lignans and lignan glycosides except for sesaminol diglucoside, which had a minor amount, indicating good correlation between the reference and the NIRS estimate. The results showed that NIRS, a nondestructive screening method, could be used to rapidly determine lignan and lignan glycoside contents in the breeding programs for high quality sesame.

  Formation of two methylenedioxy bridges by a Sesamum CYP81Q protein yielding a furofuran lignan, (+)-sesamin.:Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Jun 27;103(26):10116-21. Epub 2006 Jun 19.

 (+)-Sesamin, a furofuran class lignan, is widespread in vascular plants and represented by Sesamum spp. (+)-Sesamin has been of rapidly growing interest because of its beneficial biological effects in mammals, but its biosynthesis and physiological roles in plants remain to be clarified. It is speculated to be synthesized from (+)-pinoresinol by means of (+)-piperitol by formation of two methylenedioxy bridges mediated by two distinct Sesamum indicum cytochrome P450 (SiP450) proteins. Here, we report an SiP450, CYP81Q1, that alone catalyzes (+)-sesamin biosynthesis from (+)-pinoresinol by means of (+)-piperitol by forming two methylenedioxy bridges. The CYP81Q1 gene expression profile was temporally consistent with the accumulation pattern of (+)-sesamin during seed development. The CYP81Q1-GFP chimera protein was colocalized with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeting chimera protein, indicating that (+)-sesamin biosynthesis occurs on the ER cytoplasmic surface. Moreover, we isolated two CYP81Q1 homologs from other Sesamum spp. Sesamum radiatum CYP81Q2 showed dual (+)-piperitol/(+)-sesamin synthetic activity. CYP81Q2, as well as CYP81Q1, therefore, corresponds to a (+)-piperitol/(+)-sesamin synthase in lignan biosynthesis. In contrast, Sesamum alatum CYP81Q3 showed no activity, in accord with (+)-sesamin being deficient in S. alatum. Our findings not only provide insight into lignan biosynthesis but also unravel a unique mode of cytochrome P450 action.


  Sesamin is one of the major precursors of mammalian lignans in sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) as observed in vitro and in rats.:J Nutr. 2006 Apr;136(4):906-12.Liu Z, Saarinen NM, Thompson LU.Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E2, Canada.

 Plant lignans occur in many foods, with flaxseed presently recognized as the richest source. Some plant lignans can be converted by intestinal microbiota to the mammalian lignans, enterodiol and enterolactone, which may have protective effects against hormone-related diseases such as breast cancer. This study determined whether plant lignans in sesame seed, particularly sesamin, could be metabolized to the mammalian lignans. The total plant lignan concentration in sesame seed (2180 micromol/100 g) was higher than that in flaxseed (820 micromol/100 g). In vitro fermentation with human fecal inoculum showed conversion of sesamin to the mammalian lignans, although at a lower rate (1.1%) compared with that of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (57.2%). However, when fed to female Sprague-Dawley rats for 10 d, sesamin (15 mg/kg body weight) and a 10% sesame seed diet resulted in greater (P < 0.05) urinary mammalian lignan excretion (3.2 and 11.2 micromol/d, respectively), than the control (< 0.05 micromol/d). We conclude that sesame seed is a rich source of mammalian lignan precursors and sesamin is one of them. From intermediate metabolites of sesamin identified in rat urine by GC-MS, a tentative metabolic pathway of sesamin to mammalian lignans is suggested.

  Genetic relationship and diversity in a sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) germplasm collection using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).:BMC Genet. 2006 Feb 16;7:10.Laurentin HE, Karlovsky P.Biologic Sciences Department, Agronomy Faculty, Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Venezuela. hlaurentin@ucla.edu.ve

 BACKGROUND: Sesame is an important oil crop in tropical and subtropical areas. Despite its nutritional value and historic and cultural importance, the research on sesame has been scarce, particularly as far as its genetic diversity is concerned. The aims of the present study were to clarify genetic relationships among 32 sesame accessions from the Venezuelan Germplasm Collection, which represents genotypes from five diversity centres (India, Africa, China-Korea, Central Asia and Western Asia), and to determine the association between geographical origin and genetic diversity using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). RESULTS: Large genetic variability was found within the germplasm collection. A total of 457 AFLP markers were recorded, 93 % of them being polymorphic. The Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged from 0.38 to 0.85 between pairs of accessions. The UPGMA dendrogram grouped 25 of 32 accessions in two robust clusters, but it has not revealed any association between genotype and geographical origin. Indian, African and Chinese accessions were distributed throughout the dendrogram. A similar pattern was obtained using principal coordinates analysis. Genetic diversity studies considering five groups of accessions according to the geographic origin detected that only 20 % of the total diversity was due to diversity among groups using Nei's coefficient of population differentiation. Similarly, only 5% of the total diversity was attributed to differences among groups by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). This small but significant difference was explained by the fact that the Central Asia group had a lower genetic variation than the other diversity centres studied. CONCLUSION: We found that our sesame collection was genetically very variable and did not show an association between geographical origin and AFLP patterns. This result suggests that there was considerable gene flow among diversity centres. Future germplasm collection strategies should focus on sampling a large number of plants. Covering many diversity centres is less important because each centre represents a major part of the total diversity in sesame, Central Asia centre being the only exception. The same recommendation holds for the choice of parents for segregant populations used in breeding projects. The traditional assumption that selecting genotypes of different geographical origin will maximize the diversity available to a breeding project does not hold in sesame.

  Cloning and expression of a seed-specific metallothionein-like protein from sesame.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2005 Dec;69(12):2319-25.Chyan CL, Lee TT, Liu CP, Yang YC, Tzen JT, Chou WM.Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Hwalien, Taiwan.

 A cDNA clone, SiMT encoding an Ec type of metallothionein (MT)-like protein, was isolated from maturing seeds of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), and its deduced protein sequence shared 47-65% similarity to other known Ec type of MT-like proteins with three highly conserved cysteine-rich segments. The transcript of SiMT was exclusively accumulated in maturing seeds from two weeks after flowering to the end of seed maturation. The results of a southern blot analysis suggested that one SiMT and one SiMT-like gene were present in the sesame genome. Recombinant SiMT fused with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was over-expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography. Recombinant SiMT released from GST was harvested after factor Xa cleavage. Migration of the recombinant SiMT during SDS-PAGE was accelerated when its binding metal ions were depleted by EDTA. The metal-binding capability of recombinant SiMT was measured by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Our results show that the recombinant SiMT could trap zinc or copper ions, but not manganese ions, with a stoichiometric ratio (metal ion/SiMT) of approximately 2.

  Chemical fractionation and heavy metal accumulation in the plant of Sesamum indicum (L.) var. T55 grown on soil amended with tannery sludge: Selection of single extractants.:Chemosphere. 2006 Jun;64(1):161-73. Epub 2005 Dec 5.Gupta AK, Sinha S.Ecotoxicology and Bioremediation Group, Environmental Science Division, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226 001, India.

 A pot experiment was carried out to study the single and sequential extractions of metals in different tannery sludge amendment and the potential of the plant of Sesamum indicum L. var. T55 (sesame) for the removal of metals from tannery waste contaminated site. The metal extraction efficiency obtained with each extractants was slightly different and follow the order; EDTA>DTPA>NH(4)NO(3)>NaNO(3)>CaCl(2). The correlation analysis between extractable metals in the different amendments of sludge and metal accumulation in the plant (lower and upper parts) showed better correlation for most of the tested metals with EDTA extraction. In this study, a sequential extraction technique was applied on different amendments of tannery sludge. The results showed that Mn, Zn, Cr and Cd were mostly associated with Fe-Mn oxide fraction in most of the amendments, K and Ni was found in residual (RES) fraction, Fe and Cu was bound with organic matter (OM) and RES fractions and Na was associated with carbonate (CAR) fraction. The metal accumulation after 60 d of growth of the plant was found in the order of K>Na>Fe>Zn>Cr>Mn>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cd and its translocation was found less in upper part. The accumulation of toxic metals (Cr, Ni and Cd) in the plants was found to increase with increase in sludge ratio, in contrast, the accumulation of Pb decreased. In view of growth parameters and metal accumulation in the plant, it was observed that lower amendments (25%) of tannery sludge were found suitable for the phytoremediation of most of the studied metals.

  Thermostability and in vitro digestibility of a purified major allergen 2S albumin (Ses i 1) from white sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.).:Biochim Biophys Acta. 2005 Sep 25;1752(2):142-53.Moreno FJ, Maldonado BM, Wellner N, Mills EN.Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom. j.moreno@ifi.csic.es

 A major 2S albumin allergen, Ses i 1, from white sesame seeds was purified to homogeneity, characterized and identified using proteomic techniques. Ses i 1 exhibited a molecular weight of 12062 Da, although an extensive C-terminal clipping of the small subunit was observed. In addition, the N-terminal glutamine of the small subunit had been converted to pyroglutamate and a variant of the large subunit which had lost the N-terminal glutamine was also detected. The protein was thermo-stable up to 90 degrees C at neutral and acid pH, retaining its monomeric state and showing minimal alterations, which were reversible on cooling, in a predominantly alpha-helical secondary structure, as shown by circular dichroism and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Ses i 1 was also highly resistant to digestion using a physiologically relevant in vitro gastrointestinal model system. After 2 h of gastric digestion, the allergen remained completely intact and only the small subunit was cleaved during 2 h of subsequent duodenal digestion, leaving a major IgE epitope region of this protein intact. Neither prior heating of the Ses i 1 nor the presence of the physiological surfactant phosphatidylcholine affected the pattern of proteolysis. These findings are consistent with those found for the 2S albumin allergen from Brazil nut, Ber e 1, and suggest that Ses i 1 may preserve its structure from the degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, a property thought to be crucial for both a protein to sensitise the mucosal immune system and provoke an allergic reaction in a sensitised individual.


  Free radical reactions and antioxidant activities of sesamol: pulse radiolytic and biochemical studies.:J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Apr 6;53(7):2696-703.Joshi R, Kumar MS, Satyamoorthy K, Unnikrisnan MK, Mukherjee T.Radiation Chemistry & Chemical Dynamics Division, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India. rjudrin@yahoo.com

 Sesamol (from Sesamum indicum) is a dietary compound, which is soluble in aqueous as well as lipid phases. Free radical scavenging reactions of sesamol, 5-hydroxy-1,3-benzodioxole, have been studied using a nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique. Sesamol efficiently scavenges hydroxyl, one-electron oxidizing, organo-haloperoxyl, lipid peroxyl, and tryptophanyl radicals. Its antioxidant activity has also been evaluated with cyclic voltammetry. In biochemical studies, it has been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical-induced deoxyribose degradation, and DNA cleavage. These antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of sesamol have been reported in the paper.

  A novel method for producing a foodstuff from defatted black sesame seed that inhibits allergen absorption.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2004 Feb;68(2):300-5.

 A method is proposed to produce a foodstuff that inhibits allergen absorption through the intestinal tract. Defatted black sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds as a starting material were hydrolyzed with a crude preparation of trypsin at 40 degrees C and pH 8 for 3 hrs while gently stirring to generate an active peptide. The resulting hydrolysate was heated to inactivate the trypsin and make the active components soluble. An extract was obtained by centrifugation and then freeze-dried. Ser-Asn-Ala-Leu-Val-Ser-Pro-Asp-Trp-Ser-Met-Thr-Gly-His (compound 1) as an active peptide, and sesamino1 2'-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)]-O-beta-glucopyranoside (compound 2) and sesamino1 2'-O-beta-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-O-beta-glucopyranoside (compound 3) were identified as active lignan glycosides in an in vitro model by using Caco-2 cells. Compound 1 was active at 10(-7) M and compounds 2 and 3 at 10(-5) M.

  Antioxidant activity of extracts of black sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.) by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 25;52(4):943-7.Hu Q, Xu J, Chen S, Yang F.Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, People's Republic of China. qiuhuihu@njau.edu.cn

 Antioxidant activities of extracts derived from sesame seed by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction and by n-hexane were determined using alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and linoleic acid system methods. The highest extracted yield was given at 35 degrees C, 40 MPa, and a CO(2) flow rate of 2.5 mL min(-1) by an orthogonal experiment. The yields of extracts increased with increasing pressure, and yields at 40 and 30 MPa were higher than that by solvent extraction at 46.50%. Results from the linoleic acid system showed that the antioxidant activity follows the order: extract at 35 degrees C, 20 MPa > BHT > extract at 55 degrees C, 40 MPa > extract at 55 degrees C, 30 MPa > Trolox > solvent extraction > alpha-tocopherol. The SC-CO(2) extracts exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activities comparable to that by n-hexane extraction. The extracts at 30 MPa presented the highest antioxidant activities assessed in the DPPH method. At 20 MPa, the EC(50) increased with temperature, which indicated that the antioxidant activity was decreased in a temperature-dependent manner. The significant differences of antioxidant activities were found between the extracts by SC-CO(2) extraction and n-hexane. However, no significant differences were exhibited among the extracts by SC-CO(2) extraction. The vitamin E concentrations were also significantly higher in SC-CO(2) extracts than in n-hexane extracts, and its concentrations in extracts corresponded with the antioxidant activity of extracts.

  Free radical scavenging behavior of antioxidant compounds of sesame (sesamum indicum L.) in DPPH(*) system.:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 25;52(4):912-5.Suja KP, Jayalekshmy A, Arumughan C.Agroprocessing Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Thiruvanathapuram 695019, India.

 The free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of antioxidants from sesame cake extract was studied using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*)()) on a kinetic model. Pure lignans and lignan glycosides isolated from methanolic extract by preparative HPLC were used in the study. To understand the kinetic behavior better and to determine the RSC of sesame antioxidants, the second-order rate constant (k(2)) was calculated for the quenching reaction with [DPPH(*)] radical. The k(2) values of the sesame antioxidants were compared with those of butylated hydroxytoluene and alpha-tocopherol. The k(2) values for sesamol, sesamol dimer, sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol triglucoside, and sesaminol diglucoside were 4.00 x 10(-)(5), 0.50 x 10(-)(5), 0.36 x 10(-)(5), 0.13 x 10(-)(5), 0.33 x 10(-)(5), and 0.08 x 10(-)(5) microM(-)(1) s(-)(1), respectively.

  Anthrasesamones from roots of Sesamum indicum.:Phytochemistry. 2003 Oct;64(4):863-6.

 Three anthraquinones, named anthrasesamones A, B and C, were isolated from the roots of Sesamum indicum, and their respective structures were determined to be 1-hydroxy-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)anthraquinone, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)anthraquinone and 2-chloro-1,4-dihydroxy-3-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)anthraquinone on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Two known anthraquinones were also isolated for the first time from S. indicum roots and characterized as 2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)anthraquinone and (E)-2-(4-methylpenta-1,3-dienyl)anthraquinone. Anthrasesamone C is a rare chlorinated anthraquinone in higher plants.


  Antitumor effect of alcohol extract from Sesamum indicum flower on S180 and H22 experimental tumor.:Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 Apr;26(4):272-3. Chinese.Xu H, Yang X, Yang J, Qi W, Liu C, Yang Y.Biopharmaceutical R&D Center of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632.

 OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antineoplasm effect of extract from Sesamum indicum L. flower. METHOD: Observing the effects of alcohol extract from Sesamum indicum flower on tumor growth in sarcoma 180 (S180) and Heps 22 (H22) tumorigenic mouse, and on weight of immune organs. RESULT: 6, 3, 1.5 g/kg extract showed inhibiting effect on tumor growth obviously, and had not distinct effect on weight of thymus and spleen in mice sarcoma 180 and Heps 22. CONCLUSION: The alcohol extract from Sesamum indicum flower showed obvious antitumor effect.

  Genetic control of the isocitrate dehydrogenase and shikimate dehydrogenase isoenzyme systems in Sesame (Sesamun indicum L.).:Acta Cient Venez. 2002;53(3):176-82. Spanish.D¨ªaz AJ, Layrisse AJ.Instituto de Gen¨¦tica, Facultad de Agronom¨ªa, Universidad Central de Venezuela, V¨ªa El Lim¨®n, 2101, Apartado Postal 4579, Maracay, Venezuela. diazan@latinmail.com

 Taking into consideration that the ideal manipulation of isozymic markers needs knowledge of their genetic control, the aim of this study was to establish the inheritance and linkage degree of loci that control the expression of two sesame isozyme systems: isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and shikimate dehydrogenase (SKD). The F2 electrophoretic behaviour of IDH and SKD from cultivars Turen x Arawaca cross was evaluated. The results suggest that IDH is controlled by two loci, Idh1 and Idh2 meanwhile SKD by only one, Skd1. The loci Idh1 and Skd1 showed three distinguishable patterns, corresponding to the homocygote genotypes and the heterocygote one, adjusted to a one-character common mendelian segregation 1:2:1. Cosegregation between Idh1 and Skd1 was independent.

  Simple physical treatment as an effective tool to improve the functional properties of rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. toria) and sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) meals.:Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2002 Nov;53(6):455-63.Mahajan A, Dua S, Bhardwaj S.Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India.

 Dry and 24-h imbibed rapeseeds and sesame seeds were defatted with hexane, and freeze-dried powder was analysed for the functional properties of the meals. The water absorption capacity of the imbibed rapeseed meal and the fat absorption capacity of both the imbibed meals were higher than dry meals. Protein solubility of the rapeseed meal was improved by imbibition and both the imbibed meals exhibited maximum protein solubility at pH 12. The rapeseed meal possessed better foaming properties and viscosity than the sesame seed meal. Imbibition considerably enhanced the foaming properties of the rapeseed meal, while the emulsification properties and viscosity did not change appreciably. Emulsification properties of the sesame meal were higher than those of the rapeseed meal.

  Effect of succinylation on the functional and physicochemical properties of alpha-globulin, the major protein fraction from Sesamum indicum L.:Nahrung. 2002 Oct;46(5):364-9.Zaghloul M, Prakash V.Department of Protein Chemistry and Technology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 013, India.

 alpha-Globulin the major protein fraction from Sesamum indicum was succinylated to different levels and the effect of the chemical modification was evaluated both on the functional and physicochemical properties. The results suggest that the pH of minimum solubility shifted to the more acidic side (pH approximately 4.5-5.5) for the succinylated alpha-globulin whereas for control alpha-globulin the pH of minimum solubility was 6.5. Succinylation also increased emulsion activity and emulsion stability of the protein. The emulsion stability increased from a control value of 53 +/- 3 s to a value of 122 +/- 5 s. Bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foam capacity and foam stability were evaluated in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 0.5 M sodium chloride and all these properties showed increased values as a result of succinylation. Ultracentrifugation studies showed that the % composition of 7S component increases with concomitant decrease in that of 11S fraction with the increase in percentage of succinylation. Further increase in succinylation resulted in only 2S component which is a dissociated form of 11S and/or 7S protein fractions. The fluorescence emission studies showed a decrease in the fluorescence emission intensity of alpha-globulin as a result of succinylation. The thermal stability of the protein molecule decreased due to progressive succinylation as indicated by decrease in the apparent thermal denaturation temperature from a control value of 84 to 62 degrees C at a succinylation level of 40%. These results suggest that succinylation improves the functional characteristics of alpha-globulin. Such changes in the functional properties have been attributed partly to the dissociation of the protein molecule at higher levels of succinylation and the increase in the net negative charge on the protein.

  Preparation and characterization of papain-modified sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) protein isolates.:J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Nov 6;50(23):6854-7.Bandyopadhyay K, Ghosh S.Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, 92 Acharyya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700 009, West Bengal, India.

 Defatted sesame meal ( approximately 40-50% protein content) is very important as a protein source for human consumption due to the presence of sulfur-containing amino acids, mainly methionine. Sesame protein isolate (SPI) is produced from dehulled, defatted sesame meal and used as a starting material to produce protein hydrolysate by papain. Protein solubility at different pH values, emulsifying properties in terms of emulsion activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability index (ESI), foaming properties in terms of foam capacity (FC) and foam stability (FS), and molecular weight distribution of the SPI hydrolysates were investigated. Within 10 min of hydrolysis, the maximum cleavage of peptide bonds occurred as observed from the degree of hydrolysis. Protein hydrolysates have better functional properties than the original SPI. Significant increase in protein solubility, EAI, and ESI were observed. The greatest increase in solubility was observed between pH 5.0 and 7.0. The molecular weight of the hydrolysates was also reduced significantly during hydrolysis. These improved functional properties of different protein hydrolysates would make them useful products, especially in the food, pharmaceutical, and related industries.


  Purification, physicochemical properties, and subcellular location of alkaline inorganic pyrophosphatase from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cotyledons.:Biochem Cell Biol. 2002;80(2):215-24.Hemalatha KP, Prasad DS.Department of Biochemistry, Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh, India.

 Abstract: Changes in the levels of inorganic pyrophosphatases (PPases) were monitored in germinating sesame seeds at regular intervals. Activities of acid and alkaline PPases increased markedly in cotyledons up to day 4, remained at the peak level up to day 7, and then showed a considerable decline thereafter. An alkaline PPase was isolated and purified from 5-day-old sesame cotyledons following acetone precipitation, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. Current protocol yielded about 20% recovery of total activity with a 6.4-fold purification. The enzyme was a monomer with a molecular mass of 20.8 kDa. Some of the properties of alkaline PPase including stability, substrate specificity, ion requirement, and amino acid composition were studied. Alkaline PPase showed maximum activity at pH 8.6 in the presence of Mg2+ and at 50 degrees C. However, the metal ion could not protect the enzyme against thermal denaturation. Alkaline PPase was highly specific for inorganic pyrophoaphate (PP) as substrate and the Km value was 0.7677 +/- 0.0528 mM. Full activation of the enzyme was achieved with a Mg2+/PPi ratio of 2. Divalent metal ions such as Ca2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ inhibited PPase activity. Mg2+, partially relieved the inhibition caused by adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Studies related to the localization of alkaline PPase in microbodies revealed that the enzyme was distributed between glyoxysomes and mitochondria, with the former containing more of it.

  Hypoglycemic effect of a hot-water extract from defatted sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed on the blood glucose level in genetically diabetic KK-Ay mice.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Oct;65(10):2318-21.

 Genetically diabetic (type II) KK-Ay mice, male and 5 weeks of age, were divided into one group of 12 mice that were fed on a basal (BAS) diet and three groups of 6 mice each that were fed on the test diets for 4 weeks. Each test diet contained 4.0% of the hot-water extract (HES) from defatted sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed, 1.4% of the water eluent fraction (WFH) of HES or 0.7% of the methanol eluent fraction (MFH) of HES from a glass column packed with HP-20 resin. At the end of the feeding period, the BAS group was divided into the MAL and MALH groups which were respectively force-fed with 1 ml per mouse of a 20% maltose solution in water with or without 4.0% HES. The plasma glucose concentration and amount of urinary excreted glucose were lower from the HES and MFH diets than from the BAS and WFH diets. The levels of plasma glucose and serum insulin were lower in the MALH group than in the MAL group. These results indicate that HES and MFH had a reductive effect on the plasma glucose concentration of KK-Ay mice, and this effect is suggested to have been caused by the delayed glucose absorption.

  Hydroxysesamone and 2,3-epoxysesamone from roots of Sesamum indicum.:Phytochemistry. 2001 Dec;58(8):1225-8.

 A red naphthoquinone, named hydroxysesamone, was isolated from the roots of Sesamum indicum together with a known yellow naphthoxirene derivative, 2,3-epoxy-2,3-dihydro-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone, named 2,3-epoxysesamone. The structure of the naphthoquinone was characterized as 2,5,8-trihydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone on the basis of spectral evidence. Full assignments of NMR resonances of 2,3-epoxysesamone were also confirmed by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic experiments. Chlorosesamone, hydroxysesamone and 2,3-epoxysesamone all showed antifungal activities toward Cladosporium fulvum.

  Effect of sesame seeds rich in sesamin and sesamolin on fatty acid oxidation in rat liver.:J Agric Food Chem. 2001 May;49(5):2647-51.

 Activities of enzymes involved in hepatic fatty acid oxidation and synthesis among rats fed sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) differing in lignan content (sesamin and sesamolin) were compared. Sesame seeds rich in lignans from two lines, 0730 and 0732, lines established in this laborary, and those from a conventional cultivar (Masekin) were employed. Seeds from the 0730 and 0732 lines contained sesamin and sesamolin at amounts twice those from Masekin. Sesame seeds were added at levels of 200 g/kg to the experimental diets. Sesame increased both the hepatic mitochondrial and the peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation rate. Increases were greater with sesame rich in lignans than with Maskin. Noticeably, peroxisomal activity levels were >3 times higher in rats fed diets containing sesame seeds from the 0730 and 0732 lines than in those fed a control diet without sesame. The diet containing Masekin seed caused only a 50% increase in the value, however. Diets containing seeds from the 0730 and 0732 lines, compared to the control and Masekin diets, also significantly increased the activity of hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes including acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltranferase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. In contrast, diets containing sesame lowered the activity of enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis including fatty acid synthase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ATP-citrate lyase, and pyruvate kinase. No significant differences in enzyme activities were, however, seen among diets containing sesame from Masekin cultivar and lines 0730 and 0732. Serum triacylglycerol concentrations were lower in rats fed diets containing sesame from lines 0730 and 0732 than in those fed the control or Masekin diet. It is apparent that sesame rich in lignans more profoundly affects hepatic fatty acid oxidation and serum triacylglycerol levels. Therefore, consumption of sesame rich in lignans results in physiological activity to alter lipid metabolism in a potentially beneficial manner.

  Beneficial effects of flavonoids from Sesamum indicum, Emblica officinalis and Momordica charantia.:Phytother Res. 2000 Dec;14(8):592-5.Anila L, Vijayalakshmi NR.Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 581, India.

 Flavonoids from Sesamum indicum (gingili), Emblica officinalis (gooseberry) and Momordica charantia (bittergourd) were analysed for their biological activities. Of the three sources, flavonoids isolated from Emblica officinalis exerted the maximum beneficial action by eliciting highly potent hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic activities. Moreover these flavonoids were effective in raising the haemoglobin levels in rats.


  Simultaneous determination of carbaryl, malathion, fenitrothion, and diazinon residues in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.).:J Agric Food Chem. 2000 Nov;48(11):5165-8.Gebreegzi YT, Foster GD, Khan SU.Sholla Plant Protection Laboratory, Department of Crop Production and Protection, Technology and Regulatory, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. GFOSTER@GMU.EDU

 A method is described for the simultaneous determination of carbaryl (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate), malathion [diethyl (dimethoxythiophosphorylthio) succinate], fenitrothion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitro-m-tolyl phosphorothioate), and diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl phosphorothioate) in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds. Sesame seeds were Soxhlet extracted with n-hexane, and the extract was subjected to a liquid-liquid partitioning and column cleanup to remove the oily coextractives prior to analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean percent recoveries (+/- standard deviations) from sesame seeds fortified with carbaryl (0.004 to 0.035 microgram/g), malathion (0.53 to 4.25 microgram/g), fenitrothion (0.22 to 1.78 microgram/g), and diazinon (0.54 to 4.35 microgram/g) were 83.3 +/- 5.7, 85.5 +/- 6.6, 85. 6 +/- 7.2, and 88.4 +/- 4.8, respectively. The method was used for the simultaneous analysis of carbaryl, malathion, fenitrothion, and diazinon residues in sesame seeds obtained from an Ethiopian field crop that had been treated with the pesticides during its growing period.

  A new chlorinated red naphthoquinone from roots of Sesamum indicum.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2000 Apr;64(4):873-4.

 A new chlorinated red naphthoquinone pigment having antifungal activity, named chlorosesamone, was isolated from the roots of Sesamum indicum. Its structure was characterized as 2-chloro-5,8-dihydroxy-3-(3methyl-2-butenyl)- 1,4-na phthoquinone on the basis of spectral evidence.

  Lysine: arginine ratio of a protein influences cholesterol metabolism. Part 1--Studies on sesame protein having low lysine: arginine ratio.:Indian J Exp Biol. 1997 Nov;35(11):1218-23.Rajamohan T, Kurup PA.Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, India.

 The effect of globulin fraction with a lysine: arginine (lys:arg) ratio 0.67, isolated from sesame (Sesamum Indicum) seeds on cholesterol metabolism was studied in rats fed cholesterol free and cholesterol containing diet and compared with casein (lys:arg ratio-2.0). Rats fed sesame seed globulin showed significantly lower concentrations of cholesterol in the serum and aorta. The decrease in serum was manifested in both HDL and LDL + VLDL fractions. There was increased cholesterogenesis in the liver as was evident from increased incorporation of labeled acetate into cholesterol and increased activity of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase. Increased hepatic diversion of cholesterol to bile acid synthesis and increased fecal excretion of bile acids and sterols were also observed in rats fed sesame seed globulins. Rats fed sesame globulins also showed significantly higher activity of lipoprotein lipase in the heart and adipose tissue and that of plasma Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). These studies suggest that low lysine: arginine ratios of a protein exert hypocholesterolemic effects.

  Oxygen insertion in Sesamum indicum furanofuran lignans. Diastereoselective syntheses of enzyme substrate analogues.:Can J Chem. 1997 Jun;75(6):840-9.Marchand PA, Zajicek J, Lewis NG.Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6340, USA.

 The furofuran lignans in sesame seed have an unusual oxygen insertion between their furan and aryl rings. In our continuing investigations on the isolation and characterization of the enzyme(s) involved, the diastereoselective syntheses of various substrate analogues for the oxygen insertion step were developed for future substrate specificity and inhibitor studies. This synthetic strategy also provided entry to so-called furofuranone epoxy-lignans, such as salicifoliol from Bupleurum sp., and acuminatolide from Helichrysum sp.

  Proximate composition and functional properties of fullfat and defatted beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.) flour.:Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1997;51(1):35-41.Egbekun MK, Ehieze MU. Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.

 The proximate composition and functional properties of fullfat and defatted beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.) flour were evaluated. Functional properties studied were foam capacity and stability, water and oil absorption, bulk density, emulsion capacity and nitrogen solubility. Defatting increased the crude protein, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrate and mineral contents. Defatted flour showed comparatively better foam capacity and stability, water absorption and emulsion capacities but diminished bulk density and oil absorption capacity. Nitrogen solubility was pH dependent with a minimum at pH 4 and maximum at pH 8. Maximum nitrogen solubility (95%) was recorded for defatted flour while that for the fullfat flour was 60%. The proximate composition and functional properties of the samples suggest that beniseed flour would have useful application in fabricated foods.


  Phenylethanoid glycosides of Sesamum indicum.:Phytochemistry. 1993 Oct;34(3):729-32.

 From a water extract of whole plants of Sesamum indicum, two new, and six known phenylethanoid glycosides, and three new triglycosides which had the same sugar sequence were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated from chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

  Interaction of myo-inositol hexaphosphate (MIHP) with beta-globulin from Sesamum indicum L. Kinetics and thermodynamics.:Int J Pept Protein Res. 1993 Jul;42(1):78-83.Rajendran S, Prakash V.Food Chemistry Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.

 beta-Globulin, the low molecular weight protein fraction from Sesamum indicum L., interacts with myo-inositol hexaphosphate (MIHP) maximally at pH 3.0, with concomitant precipitation up to 85 +/- 2% at an MIHP concentration of 8 x 10(-4) M. The kinetics of interaction as followed by stopped-flow spectrophotometry suggested the reaction to be of pseudo first-order, having an initial fast step followed by a relatively slow step of rate constants 1.9 x 10(-2) s-1 and 1.2 x 10(-3) s-1, respectively at 1 x 10(-4) M MIHP concentration. The analysis of the complex indicated the presence of polymer as seen in sedimentation velocity experiment. This was accompanied by conformational change of a three-fold decrease in beta-structure and also an increase in fluorescence emission intensity accompanied with a red shift from 330 to 334 nm. Stoichiometric analysis of MIHP binding suggested four independent binding sites for MIHP, with a free energy change, delta G zero = 5.1 kcal mol-1 resulting from a binding constant of 3.6 x 10(3) M-1.

  Structural stability of beta-globulin, the low molecular weight protein fraction from sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.) in alkaline solution.:Indian J Biochem Biophys. 1993 Feb;30(1):15-20.Rajendran S, Prakash V.Food Chemistry Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore.

 Beta-globulin, a single polypeptide chain of molecular weight 15,000 +/- 1,000, undergoes denaturation in alkaline pH (7.0-13.0), thereby affecting the hydrodynamic properties of the protein, viz. a decrease in sedimentation coefficient from a value of 2.0s to 1.4s at pH 11.3, an increase in reduced viscosity from 0.042 dl/g to 0.158 dl/g at pH 12.6 and a decrease in partial specific volume resulting in a volume change of 6.3 +/- 1.0 ml/mole residue at pH 11.7. The perturbation of tryptophanyl residues and ionization of tyrosyl residues are preceded by alteration in conformational status of the protein. The fluorescence emission measurements indicate initial unfolding of the protein molecule which exposes the tryptophan and tyrosyl residues to the solvent. The tyrosyl phenolic group ionization is anomalous having a pKint value of 11.2. The reduced viscosity value reaches a plateau region at pH 12.5.

  The nature of the unhydrolysed fraction of alpha-globulin, the major protein component of Sesamum indicum L. hydrolysed by alpha-chymotrypsin.:Indian J Biochem Biophys. 1992 Apr;29(2):160-7.Tasneem R, Prakash V.Food Chemistry Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore.

 Alpha-globulin, the high molecular weight protein fraction from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed, was hydrolysed by alpha-chymotrypsin. The hydrolysate was resolved into two fractions, the hydrolysed part and the unhydrolysed part of alpha-globulin using gel filtration on Sepharose 6B-100. The unhydrolysed alpha-globulin residue was characterized for its sedimentation coefficient, subunit composition, fluorescence emission spectrum, secondary structure, and other biophysical properties. The results indicated a decrease in the size of the protein molecule upon hydrolysis to a very small extent. The effect of hydrolysis products on hydrolysis of native alpha-globulin as well as on a standard substrate, casein, was also investigated. The results indicated that the hydrolysis products contribute to the resistance of alpha-globulin to proteolysis by alpha-chymotrypsin to the extent of 40%.

  Resistance of alpha-globulin from Sesamum indicum L. to proteases in relationship to its structure.:J Protein Chem. 1989 Apr;8(2):251-61.Tasneem R, Prakash V.Food Chemistry Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.

 alpha-Globulin, the high-molecular-weight protein fraction from Sesamum indicum L., was hydrolyzed to low-molecular-weight protein and peptides by pepsin, while its resistance to hydrolysis by group-specific enzymes, trypsin or alpha-chymotrypsin, was very high. The protein showed definite structural changes after proteolysis, especially after peptic hydrolysis, as evidenced from various biophysical data. The sedimentation velocity pattern of alpha-globulin hydrolyzed by trypsin or alpha-chymotrypsin indicated reduction in the percentage of 11S component, while the pepsin-hydrolyzed sample was devoid of any 11S component, indicating the absence of a native protein molecule. The fluorescence emission spectra of the various hydrolyzed alpha-globulin showed a red shift in the fluorescence emission maximum. The red shift was maximum with alpha-globulin hydrolyzed by pepsin and minimum with the trypsin-hydrolyzed sample. The far-ultraviolet-circular dichroic measurements indicated that most of the ordered structure of alpha-globulin was absent after pepsin hydrolysis, while after trypsin and chymotrypsin hydrolysis conformational changes were less.


  Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum, L.). II. Use of sesame flour in protein mixtures.:Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1988 Jun;38(2):312-22. Portuguese.Salgado JM, Gon?alves CM.Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de S?o Paulo, Brasil.

 The results obtained in the first part of this study demonstrated that the sesame flour protein is of reasonable quality and can be utilized, although it has a low lysine content and is rich in sulfur amino acids. Based on the initial data, the sesame flour was supplemented with other meals: "carioca" beans, pigeon pea, and soybean. Nine diets were prepared and the best combination was that of 50% sesame flour protein and 50% pigeon pea, the PER of which was 2.28. Breads were made with these systems, as follows: 100% sesame flour, 100% wheat flour, 50% sesame flour + 50% wheat flour; 30% sesame flour + 70% wheat flour; 30% sesame flour + 30% soybean flour + 40% wheat flour. These were evaluated through sensory analysis by a grading system. Good acceptance was obtained with the bread prepared with 30% sesame flour + 70% wheat flour. Its external and internal appearance, as well as its organoleptic characteristics were close to the bread, with 100% wheat flour. Sesame flour at the 50% proportion gave a bread of medium quality. The protein mixtures of sesame flour and soybean flour were well accepted. Some of the panel members reported that it had a taste somewhat like integral bread.

  Functional and nutritional properties of modified proteins of sesame (Sesamum indicum, L.).:Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1984 Dec;34(4):749-62. Spanish.Saad R, P¨¦rez C.

 A study on the functional and nutritional properties of sesame (Sesamum indicum, L.) flour, concentrate and enzymatic hydrolysates, demonstrated that nitrogen solubility of the hydrolysates is improved, in water (85%) and at different pHs (91-95%), by the action of neutrasa 0.5L and alcalasa 0.6L, yielding a product with good emulsifying and improved foaming properties. Hydrolysates produced by the pH-stat method, then freeze-dried and spray-dried presented a PER of 1.1 and 0.9, respectively. The flour and the concentrate had PER values of 1.2. Supplementation of one of the hydrolysates with soya hydrolysate (1:1), improved the PER to a value similar to that of casein. Use of neutrasa 0.5L and alcalasa 0.6L enzymes, enhances the sesame protein solubility without modifying extensively the PER. Besides, it yields a dehydrated product with improved emulsifying and foaming properties.

  Obtaining protein fractions from commercial sesame cakes (Sesamum indicum).:Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1984 Sep;34(3):477-87. Portuguese. Guerra MJ, Jaffe WG, Sangronis E.

 Sesame press cake represents an important potential protein source for human consumption. Some of the limiting factors are its high crude fiber content, oxalic acid content, and its bitter taste. By fractionation of solvent-extracted sesame meal, several preparations were obtained which were analyzed for their nutrient content, protein utilization and digestibility. PER values were low, and supplementation with lysine, skim-milk powder, soymeal or fish meal, improved the PER values considerably. Based on these findings, formulas for use as a protein supplement for children are presented.

  Sesamin, a lignan of sesame, down-regulates cyclin D1 protein expression in human tumor cells.:Cancer Sci. 2007 Jul 19;

 Sesamin is a major lignan constituent of sesame and possesses multiple functions such as antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, lipid-lowering and anticancer activities. Several groups have previously reported that sesamin induces growth inhibition in human cancer cells. However, the nature of this growth inhibitory mechanism remains unknown. The authors here report that sesamin induces growth arrest at the G1 phase in cell cycle progression in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Furthermore, sesamin dephosphorylates tumor-suppressor retinoblastoma protein (RB). It is also shown that inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation by sesamin is correlated with down-regulated cyclin D1 protein expression, a proto-oncogene that is overexpressed in many human cancer cells. It was found that sesamin-induced down-regulation of cyclin D1 was inhibited by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting that sesamin suppresses cyclin D1 protein expression by promoting proteasome degradation of cyclin D1 protein. Sesamin down-regulates cyclin D1 protein expression in various kinds of human tumor cells, including lung cancer, transformed renal cells, immortalized keratinocyte, melanoma and osteosarcoma. Furthermore, depletion of cyclin D1 protein using small interfering RNA rendered MCF-7 cells insensitive to the growth inhibitory effects of sesamin, implicating that cyclin D1 is at least partially related to the antiproliferative effects of sesamin. Taken together, these results suggest that the ability of sesamin to down-regulate cyclin D1 protein expression through the activation of proteasome degradation could be one of the mechanisms of the antiproliferative activity of this agent.

  Comparative analysis of sesame lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) in affecting hepatic fatty acid metabolism in rats.:Br J Nutr. 2007 Jan;97(1):85-95.

 Effects of sesamin and sesamolin (sesame lignans) on hepatic fatty acid metabolism were compared in rats. Rats were fed either a lignan-free diet, a diet containing 0.6 or 2 g/kg lignan (sesamin or sesamolin), or a diet containing both sesamin (1.4 g/kg) and sesamolin (0.6 g/kg) for 10 d. Sesamin and sesamolin dose-dependently increased the activity and mRNA abundance of various enzymes involved in hepatic fatty acid oxidation. The increase was much greater with sesamolin than with sesamin. These lignans increased parameters of hepatic fatty acid oxidation in an additive manner when added simultaneously to an experimental diet. In contrast, they decreased the activity and mRNA abundance of hepatic lipogenic enzymes despite dose-dependent effects not being necessarily obvious. Sesamin and sesamolin were equally effective in lowering parameters of lipogenesis. Sesamolin accumulated in serum at 33- and 46-fold the level of sesamin at dietary concentrations of 0.6 and 2 g/kg, respectively. The amount of sesamolin accumulated in liver was 10- and 7-fold that of sesamin at the respective dietary levels. Sesamolin rather than sesamin can account for the potent physiological effect of sesame seeds in increasing hepatic fatty acid oxidation observed previously. Differences in bioavailability may contribute to the divergent effects of sesamin and sesamolin on hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Sesamin compared to sesamolin was more effective in reducing serum and liver lipid levels despite sesamolin more strongly increasing hepatic fatty acid oxidation.


  Effect of sesamin on serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in LDL receptor-deficient mice.:Eur J Nutr. 2006 Dec;45(8):439-44. Epub 2006 Oct 12.Pe?alvo JL, Hopia A, Adlercreutz H.Institute for Preventive Medicine, Nutrition and Cancer, Folkh?lsan Research Center and Division of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. penalvo@farm.ucm.es

 BACKGROUND: Sesamin, a major lignan from sesame seeds has been associated with cholesterol reduction in previous reports, but recent studies suggested differences in the response to sesamin intake depending on the model studied as well as the nature of the sesamin preparation used. AIM: The effect of pure sesamin epimer on serum lipids was studied in hypercholesterolemic LDL receptor-knockout mice under cholesterol fed condition. DESIGN: Animals were randomly assigned to 4 groups, fed an atherogenic diet containing stanol ester, sesamin, combination of stanol ester and sesamin or a control diet with no additions. RESULTS: The control group showed an almost 3-fold increase in serum cholesterol levels due to the atherogenic diet but no effect was seen for triglyceride levels. Stanol ester alone or together with sesamin significantly attenuated the elevation of the cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: Sesamin alone did not affect the elevation of the diet-induced cholesterol level and it did not enhance the effect of stanol ester.

  Decomposition reaction of sesamin in supercritical water.:Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2006 May;70(5):1273-6.

 The methylenedioxyphenyl moiety in the structure of sesamin and episesamin was changed into the catechol moieties, (1R,2S,5R,6S)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane, (1R,2R,5R,6S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane, (1R,2R,5R,6S)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane, (1R,2S,5R,6S)-2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane, and (1R,2R,5R,6S)-2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane, in supercritical water. These products had same structures as the sesamin metabolites which act as antioxidants in the liver. These features suggested the direct preparation of antioxidants from sesamin by a one-step reaction using supercritical water.

  Sesamin is one of the major precursors of mammalian lignans in sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) as observed in vitro and in rats.:J Nutr. 2006 Apr;136(4):906-12.Liu Z, Saarinen NM, Thompson LU.Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E2, Canada.

 Plant lignans occur in many foods, with flaxseed presently recognized as the richest source. Some plant lignans can be converted by intestinal microbiota to the mammalian lignans, enterodiol and enterolactone, which may have protective effects against hormone-related diseases such as breast cancer. This study determined whether plant lignans in sesame seed, particularly sesamin, could be metabolized to the mammalian lignans. The total plant lignan concentration in sesame seed (2180 micromol/100 g) was higher than that in flaxseed (820 micromol/100 g). In vitro fermentation with human fecal inoculum showed conversion of sesamin to the mammalian lignans, although at a lower rate (1.1%) compared with that of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (57.2%). However, when fed to female Sprague-Dawley rats for 10 d, sesamin (15 mg/kg body weight) and a 10% sesame seed diet resulted in greater (P < 0.05) urinary mammalian lignan excretion (3.2 and 11.2 micromol/d, respectively), than the control (< 0.05 micromol/d). We conclude that sesame seed is a rich source of mammalian lignan precursors and sesamin is one of them. From intermediate metabolites of sesamin identified in rat urine by GC-MS, a tentative metabolic pathway of sesamin to mammalian lignans is suggested.

  Antioxidative catechol lignans converted from sesamin and sesaminol triglucoside by culturing with Aspergillus.:J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Jan 12;53(1):22-7.

 Sesamin and sesaminol triglucoside in sesame seeds are major lignans that display an abundance of biological activities. Although their antioxidative activity in vitro is weak, they have been reported to suppress oxidative stress in vivo. We investigated the production of new antioxidative lignans from sesame lignans by culturing with the genus Aspergillus to enhance the function of food materials. Media containing sesamin or sesaminol triglucoside increased antioxidative activity for DPPH radical scavenging by culturing with Aspergillus usamii mut. shirousamii RIB2503. The antioxidative lignans in sesamin medium were identified as sesamin 2,6-dicatechol and episesamin 2,6-dicatechol. Those in sesaminol triglucoside medium were identified as sesaminol 6-catechol and episesaminol 6-catechol, which are novel antioxidative lignans. It is suggested that they may exhibit higher antioxidative activity than sesamin and sesaminol triglucoside because they have the catechol functional moiety.

  Effect of dietary fat level and sesamin on the polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in rats.:J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2003 Oct;49(5):320-6

 In this study, we examined the effects of sesamin and vegetable oil on the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and lipids (triacylglycerol, free cholesterol, and phospholipid), and beta-oxidation enzyme activities in the rat liver. Rats were fed a diet containing 5% (low-fat diet) or 20% (high-fat diet) salad oil (rapeseed oil: soybean oil, 7:3) with or without sesamin (0.5% w/w) for 4 wk. As a result, the concentrations of linoleic acid (LA, n-6), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, n-3), and total PUFA in the liver increased significantly as the result of the high-fat diet. In the high-fat diet groups, sesamin administration decreased the concentrations of LA, ALA, and total PUFA to almost the same level as the low-fat diet group, while it increased the concentrations of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, n-6) and arachidonic acid (AA, n-6). The activities of carnitine acyltransferase and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in liver mitochondria were enhanced by the intake of the high-fat diet, and were further enhanced by the administration of sesamin. Peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase activity was also enhanced by sesamin, while it was not affected by the dietary fat level. These results suggest that sesamin suppressed the increase of hepatic PUFA concentration caused by feeding the high-fat diet through enhancing the enzyme activities of fatty acid beta-oxidation and PUFA metabolism from LA and ALA.


  Novel antioxidative metabolites in rat liver with ingested sesamin.:J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Mar 12;51(6):1666-70.

 Sesamin, a major lignan in sesame oil, is known to have many biological activities, especially protective effects against oxidative damage in the liver. As sesamin itself has no antioxidative properties in vitro, to elucidate the mechanism of its antioxidative effects, the reaction products of sesamin in rat liver homogenate were analyzed. The methylenedioxyphenyl moiety in the structure of sesamin was shown to be changed into a dihydrophenyl (catechol) moiety. The enzymatic reaction products in vitro were identified as (1R,2S,5R,6S)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane and (1R,2S,5R,6S)-2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane, which showed strong radical scavenging activities; the latter was a novel compound. The same metabolites were found as glucuronic acid and/or sulfic acid conjugates in substantial amounts in rat bile after oral administration of sesamin. It is suggested that sesamin is a prodrug and the metabolites containing the catechol moieties in their structures are responsible for the protective effects of sesamin against oxidative damage in the liver.

  Antihypertensive effect of sesamin. IV. Inhibition of vascular superoxide production by sesamin.:Biol Pharm Bull. 2002 Sep;25(9):1247-9.

 We previously demonstrated the preventive effect of sesamin, a lignan from sesame oil, on the development of several experimental models of hypertension. In the present study, we explored the mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive effect of sesamin using the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt rat hypertensive model. After a 5-week treatment period, aortic superoxide (O2-) production was measured in the lucigenin chemiluminescence assay. Chemiluminescence signals significantly decreased in sesamin-containing diet-fed DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with those in the normal diet-fed DOCA-salt rats, although the signals in sham-operated control animals were not affected by the sesamin feeding. In addition, there was a positive correlation between systolic blood pressure and aortic O2- production. These findings suggest that sesamin feeding inhibits enhanced vascular O2- production in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats and that the antioxidative action of sesamin may contribute to its antihypertensive activity.

  Comparative effect of sesamin and episesamin on the activity and gene expression of enzymes in fatty acid oxidation and synthesis in rat liver.:J Nutr Biochem. 2002 May;13(5):289-295.

 Sesamin is one of the most abundant lignans in sesame seed. Episesamin, a geometrical isomer of sesamin, is not a naturally occurring compound and is formed during the refining process of non-roasted sesame seed oil. We compared the physiological activities of these compounds in affecting hepatic fatty acid metabolism in rat liver. Rats were fed either a control diet free of lignan or diets containing 0.2% of sesamin or episesamin for 15 days. These lignans increased the mitochondrial and peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidation rates. However, the magnitude of the increases was greater with episesamin than with sesamin. Sesamin caused 1.7- and 1.6-fold increases in mitochondrial and peroxisomal activity, respectively, while episesamin increased these values 2.3- and 5.1-fold. These lignans also increased the activity and gene expression of various fatty acid oxidation enzymes. Again, the increase was much more exaggerated with episesamin (1.5- to 14-fold) than with sesamin (1.3- to 2.8-fold). Diets containing sesamin and episesamin lowered the activity and gene expression of hepatic lipogenic enzymes to one-half of those obtained in the animals fed a lignan-free diet. However, no significant differences in these parameters were seen between rats fed sesamin and episesamin. Responses to sesamin and episesamin of hepatic lipogenesis are, therefore, considerably different from those observed in fatty acid oxidation. These results show that the physiological activity of the commercial sesamin preparation containing equivalent amounts of both sesamin and episesamin in increasing hepatic fatty acid oxidation observed previously was mainly ascribable to that of episesamin but not to sesamin.

  THE EFFECT OF SESAMOL ON SYSTEMIC OXIDATIVE STRESS AND HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION IN ACUTELY IRON-INTOXICATED MICE.:Shock. 2007 Jun 21;Hsu DZ, Chien SP, Chen KT, Liu MY.*Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College; and ?Department of Living Science, Tainan University of Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.

 This study investigated the effect of sesamol (3,4-methylenedioxyphenol) on systemic oxidative stress and hepatic function in acutely iron-intoxicated mice. Sesamol reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical, iron production and superoxide anion generation, and xanthine oxidase activity in iron-intoxicated mice. In addition, sesamol decreased the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and ameliorated iron-intoxication-induced histological changes in the liver. In summary, sesamol might attenuate systemic oxidative stress by reducing xanthine oxidase and improving hepatic function in iron-intoxicated mice.

  Effect of sesamol on radiation-induced cytotoxicity in Swiss albino mice.:Mutat Res. 2006 Dec 10;611(1-2):9-16. Epub 2006 Oct 11.Parihar VK, Prabhakar KR, Veerapur VP, Kumar MS, Reddy YR, Joshi R, Unnikrishnan MK, Rao CM.Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal 576104, India.

 The radio-protective ability of sesamol (SM) at various doses viz., 0, 10, 25, 40, 50, 70 and 100mg/kg bw, administered intraperitoneally 30min prior to 9.5Gy whole-body gamma-irradiation was studied in Swiss albino mice. Radiation toxicity and mortality were observed during a period of 30 days and the percentage mortality was calculated. SM pretreatment with 50mg/kg bw was found to be the most effective dose in maintaining body weight and in reducing the percentage mortality, while 100mg/kg bw was found to be more effective in maintaining the spleen index and in stimulation of endogenous spleen colony-forming units. Pretreatment with SM (50mg/kg bw) in mice irradiated with 15Gy significantly reduced dead, inflammatory, mitotic and goblet cells in irradiated jejunum. SM at 50mg/kg bw also increased crypt cells, maintained villus height, and prevented mucosal erosion. Nuclear enlargement in epithelial cells was found less in SM-treated mice compared with the irradiated control. The radiation-induced decrease in endogenous antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GST, catalase) and the increase in lipid peroxidation were also reduced by pretreatment with SM [50 and 100mg/kg bw] at all monitored post-irradiation intervals. There was no protection at a dose less than 25mg/kg bw.


  Sesamol delays mortality and attenuates hepatic injury after cecal ligation and puncture in rats: role of oxidative stress.:Shock. 2006 May;25(5):528-32.Hsu DZ, Chen KT, Li YH, Chuang YC, Liu MY.Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 70428, Taiwan.

 Sesame oil potently protects rats against sepsis, and sesamol appears to be the protective ingredient in sesame oil. The aims of the present study were to examine the effects of sesamol on mortality and reactive oxygen species-associated liver injury in Wistar rats with cecal-ligation-and-puncture-induced sepsis (septic rats). After sepsis was induced, sesamol was administered every 6 h. The survival rate was determined during the ensuing 48 h. Hepatic injury was assessed using blood biochemistry and histological examination. Hepatic oxidative stress was assessed by determining the levels of liver lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion generation, and nitric oxide production 12 h after cecal ligation and puncture. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was also determined. Sesamol delayed mortality and attenuated hepatic injury in septic rats. Hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion levels were significantly lower in sesamol-treated septic rats. Furthermore, sesamol inhibited the production of nitrite and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the liver in septic rats. Therefore, sesamol may delay mortality and attenuate oxidative stress-associated liver injury by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, at least partially, in septic rats.

  Development and evaluation of sesamol as an antiaging agent.:Int J Dermatol. 2006 Mar;45(3):200-8.Sharma S, Kaur IP.Department of Pharmaceutics, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.

 Aging comprises various changes that occur in living organisms with the passage of time, leading to increased system entropy, loss of homeostasis and eventually death. Of the various theories proposed, the free radical theory of aging states that it is the shift in antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance that leads to increased oxidative stress, dysregulation of cellular function and aging. It has been proved that accumulated damage by free radicals produced by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation results in extensive damage to the soft skin tissues, which is commonly known as "photoaging". Although the human body has built-in antioxidant mechanisms to suppress uncontrolled free radicals, these mechanisms may at times fail due to overwhelming production of toxic radicals. This is where supplemental antioxidants can play a vital role in restoring the balance, lack of which produces visible wrinkling and premature aging. Sesamol, a highly acclaimed antioxidant, was selected as a suitable antioxidant to investigate in this study, and is for the first time shown to counter UV-induced oxidative stress (in terms of both biochemical and histopathological changes) in mouse skin. The source of radiation was a 300-W UV lamp, and mice of the lacca strain were chosen as an animal model for this study. Free radical levels generated were estimated using the Ohkawa method for estimation of lipid peroxidation in animal tissues. The results from biochemical and histopathological investigations clearly confirm that the sesamol formulation is effective in preventing photodamage (lesions, ulcers and changes in skin integrity) due to chronic UV exposure.

  Sesamol induces nitric oxide release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells.:Lipids. 2005 Sep;40(9):955-61.Chen PR, Tsai CE, Chang H, Liu TL, Lee CC.Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan.

 Sesamol, which is derived from sesame seed lignans, is reportedly an antioxidant. Nitric oxide (NO), the most important vascular relaxing factor, is regulated in the endothelium. In addition, NO is involved in protecting endothelium and has antiatherosclerotic and antithrombotic activities. The endothelium produces NO through the regulation of both endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression and activity in endothelial cells. This study sought to investigate the effect of sesamol on NO released from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and to examine the expression and activity of eNOS. Sesamol induced NO release from endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner (from 1 to 10 microM), as measured 24 h after treatment; the expression of the eNOS gene at both transcription and translation levels; and NOS activity in endothelial cells. The content of cGMP was also increased by sesamol through NO signaling. The transcription of eNOS induced by sesamol was confirmed through the activation of PI-3 kinase-Akt (protein kinase B) signaling. The results demonstrate that sesamol induces NOS signaling pathways in HUVEC and suggest a role for sesamol in cardiovascular reactivity in vivo.

  Free radical reactions and antioxidant activities of sesamol: pulse radiolytic and biochemical studies.:J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Apr 6;53(7):2696-703.Joshi R, Kumar MS, Satyamoorthy K, Unnikrisnan MK, Mukherjee T.Radiation Chemistry & Chemical Dynamics Division, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India. rjudrin@yahoo.com

 Sesamol (from Sesamum indicum) is a dietary compound, which is soluble in aqueous as well as lipid phases. Free radical scavenging reactions of sesamol, 5-hydroxy-1,3-benzodioxole, have been studied using a nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique. Sesamol efficiently scavenges hydroxyl, one-electron oxidizing, organo-haloperoxyl, lipid peroxyl, and tryptophanyl radicals. Its antioxidant activity has also been evaluated with cyclic voltammetry. In biochemical studies, it has been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical-induced deoxyribose degradation, and DNA cleavage. These antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of sesamol have been reported in the paper.

  Radioprotective effect of sesamol on gamma-radiation induced DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants levels in cultured human lymphocytes.:Toxicology. 2005 May 5;209(3):225-35.Prasad NR, Menon VP, Vasudev V, Pugalendi KV.Department of Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608002, Tamilnadu, India. nrprasadnr@rediffmail.com

 Sesamol pretreated (1, 5 and 10 microg/ml) lymphocytes were exposed to different doses of gamma-radiation, i.e., 1, 2 and 4 Gray (Gy) and the cellular changes were estimated by using cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay (MN), dicentric aberration (DC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Radiation significantly increased MN, DC frequencies, TBARS levels and decreased GSH and antioxidant enzyme levels in a dose dependent manner. The highest damage to lymphocytes was observed at 4 Gy irradiation. On the other hand, sesamol pretreatment significantly decreased MN, DC frequencies, TBARS levels and increased GSH levels and SOD, CAT and GPx activities in a concentration dependent manner. At 1 Gy irradiation all concentrations of sesamol (1, 5 and 10 microg/ml) significantly protects the lymphocytes from radiation damage. At 2 Gy irradiation 5 and 10 microg/ml of sesamol shows significant radioprotection. Since the highest damage was observed at 4 Gy irradiation both 1 and 5 microg/ml of sesamol pretreatment were not sufficient to protect the lymphocytes from radiation damage but 10 microg/ml of sesamol significantly (p<0.05) protects the lymphocytes from radiation effect. Thus, sesamol pretreatment gives significant protection to cultured human lymphocytes against gamma-radiation induced cellular damage. The possible mechanism involved in the radioprotective influence of sesamol is discussed.


  Sesame lignans enhance antioxidant activity of vitamin E in lipid peroxidation systems.:Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 Jul;262(1-2):195-202.Ghafoorunissa , Hemalatha S, Rao MV.National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad 500007, AP, India. ghafoorunissanin@rediffmail.com

 The antioxidant properties of sesame lignans (sesamol, sesamin and sesamolin) were evaluated in comparison to tocols (alpha- and gamma-tocopherols and alpha-tocotrienol) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) using the following in vitro lipid peroxidation systems: (i) rat liver microsomes and cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH)/Fe2+-ADP-NADPH (enzymatic) or (ii) rat liver mitochondria and Fe2+-ascorbate (nonenzymatic) systems. Sesamol containing a free phenolic group inhibited lipid peroxidation in both the systems whereas sesamin and sesamolin having methylenedioxy groups were effective only in the microsomal system. Since detoxifying enzymes are localized in microsomes, the inhibitory effects of sesamin and sesamolin observed in the microsomal system may be attributed to their metabolites. However, the inhibitory effects of lignans were lower than tocols and BHT. Combination of individual lignans and tocopherols (alpha, gamma) or alpha-tocotrienol showed higher inhibitory effects than the sum of individual inhibitions in CumOOH and Fe2+-ascorbate systems suggesting synergistic interactions. The time course of CumOOH-mediated lipid peroxidation showed a lag period and a decreased rate of thiobarbituric acid reactive product formation in the presence of individual lignans in combination with alpha-tocopherol suggesting recycling of alpha-tocopherol.

  The sesame seed oil constituent, sesamol, induces growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer and cardiovascular cells.:Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Dec;1010:374-80. Jacklin A, Ratledge C, Welham K, Bilko D, Newton CJ.Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.

 Sesamol is a potent inhibitor of fungal fatty acid biosynthesis. This effect is apparently due to inhibition of malic enzyme and the supply of NADPH that is required for this biosynthetic pathway. It is the ability of sesamol to reduce the synthesis of the coenzyme, NADPH, that makes it attractive for use in studying the effect of oxidants on tumor and vascular endothelial cells. By conducting preliminary studies on the effect of sesamol alone, it was clear that the compound demonstrated marked cytotoxicity. This paper describes the experiments performed.

  Thermodynamic study of sesamol, piperonyl alcohol, piperonylic acid and homopiperonylic acid: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation..:Org Biomol Chem. 2004 Mar 21;2(6):908-14. Epub 2004 Feb 23.Matos MA, Monte MJ, Sousa CC, Almeida AR, Morais VM.Centro de Investiga??o em Qu¨ªmica, Departamento de Qu¨ªmica, Faculdade de Ci¨ºncias da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal. marmatos@fc.up.pt

 The standard (p(o)= 0.1 MPa) molar energies of combustion in oxygen, at T= 298.15 K, of four 1,3-benzodioxole derivatives (sesamol, piperonyl alcohol, piperonylic acid and homopiperonylic acid) were measured by static bomb calorimetry. The values of the standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, at T= 298.15 K, were derived from vapour pressure-temperature measurements using the Knudsen effusion technique. Combining these results the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the compounds, in the gas phase, at T= 298.15 K, have been calculated: sesamol (-325.7 +/- 1.9) kJ mol(-1); piperonyl alcohol (-329.0 +/- 2.0) kJ mol(-1); piperonylic acid (-528.9 +/- 2.6) kJ mol(-1) and homopiperonylic acid (-544.5 +/- 2.9) kJ mol(-1). The most stable geometries of all the compounds were obtained using the density functional theory with the B3LYP functional and two basis sets: 6-31G** and 6-311G**. The nonplanarity of the molecules was analyzed in terms of the anomeric effect, which is believed to arise from the interaction between a nonbonded oxygen p orbital and the empty orbital sigma*(CO) involving the other oxygen atom. Calculations were performed to obtain estimates of the enthalpies of formation of all the benzodioxoles using appropriate isodesmic reactions. There is a perfect agreement between theoretical and experimental results.

  Free radical scavenging behavior of antioxidant compounds of sesame (sesamum indicum L.) in DPPH(*) system..:J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 25;52(4):912-5.Suja KP, Jayalekshmy A, Arumughan C.Agroprocessing Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Thiruvanathapuram 695019, India.

 The free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of antioxidants from sesame cake extract was studied using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*)()) on a kinetic model. Pure lignans and lignan glycosides isolated from methanolic extract by preparative HPLC were used in the study. To understand the kinetic behavior better and to determine the RSC of sesame antioxidants, the second-order rate constant (k(2)) was calculated for the quenching reaction with [DPPH(*)] radical. The k(2) values of the sesame antioxidants were compared with those of butylated hydroxytoluene and alpha-tocopherol. The k(2) values for sesamol, sesamol dimer, sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol triglucoside, and sesaminol diglucoside were 4.00 x 10(-)(5), 0.50 x 10(-)(5), 0.36 x 10(-)(5), 0.13 x 10(-)(5), 0.33 x 10(-)(5), and 0.08 x 10(-)(5) microM(-)(1) s(-)(1), respectively.

  Sesamolin inhibits lipid peroxidation in rat liver and kidney.:J Nutr. 1998 Jun;128(6):1018-22.

 Although the sesame lignans, sesaminol and sesamolinol, have been shown to possess antioxidative activity, less is known about the metabolism and antioxidative properties of sesamolin, a major constituent of sesame oil. To determine the ability of sesamolin to act as an antioxidant in vivo, we fed rats a diet containing 1% sesamolin for 2 wk and studied its metabolism and its effects on oxidative stress. About 75% of the ingested sesamolin was excreted unmetabolized in feces, but it was not detected in urine. Sesamolin and its metabolites, sesamol and sesamolinol, were excreted primarily as sulfates and glucuronides. The amount of sesamolin and its metabolites was lower in the plasma than in the liver or kidneys. When we compared rats fed a diet containing 1% sesamolin for 14 d with those fed a control diet, we found that liver weight was significantly greater in the former group. Lipid peroxidation activity, measured as 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, was significantly lower in the kidneys and liver of the sesamolin-fed rats than in the controls. In addition, the amount of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine excreted in the urine was significantly lower in the sesamolin-fed rats. These results suggest that sesamolin and its metabolites may contribute to the antioxidative properties of sesame seeds and oil and support our hypothesis that sesame lignans reduce susceptibility to oxidative stress.


  Scientific References:

  1.Research Update:Black Sesame or Sesamum indicum L.