Sesamolin affects both natural killer cells and cancer cells in order to create an optimal environment for cancer cell sensitization

Sesame Seeds: A Nutrient-Rich Superfood

Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) have been cultivated for thousands of years and have long been celebrated for their culinary versatility. Beyond their delightful nutty flavor and crunchy texture, sesame seeds have also gained recognition for their remarkable health benefits. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the numerous ways in which sesame seeds contribute to overall well-being. Sesame seeds are a powerhouse of phytochemicals, including lignans derivatives, tocopherol isomers, phytosterols, and phytates, which have been associated with various health benefits, including the preservation of cardiovascular health and the prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain dysfunction. These compounds have also been substantiated for their efficacy in cholesterol management. Their potential as a natural source of beneficial plant compounds is presented in detail. The article further explores the positive impact of sesame seeds on reducing the risk of chronic diseases thanks to their rich polyunsaturated fatty acids content. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember the significance of maintaining a well-rounded diet to achieve the proper balance of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a balance lacking in sesame seed oil. The significance of bioactive polypeptides derived from sesame seeds is also discussed, shedding light on their applications as nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional ingredients. Recognizing the pivotal role of processing methods on sesame seeds, this review discusses how these methods can influence bioactive compounds. While roasting the seeds enhances the antioxidant properties of the oil extract, certain processing techniques may reduce phenolic compounds.

An Insight into Sesamolin: Physicochemical Properties, Pharmacological Activities, and Future Research Prospects

Sesame seeds are rich in lignan content and have been well-known for their health benefits. Unlike the other sesame lignan compounds (i.e., sesamin and sesamol), the study of the pharmacological activity of sesamolin has not been explored widely. This review, therefore, summarizes the information related to sesamolin’s pharmacological activities, and the mechanism of action. Moreover, the influence of its physicochemical properties on pharmacological activity is also discussed. Sesamolin possessed neuroprotective activity against hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in neuron cells by reducing the ROS and inhibiting apoptosis. In skin cancer, sesamolin exhibited antimelanogenesis by affecting the expression of the melanogenic enzymes. The anticancer activity of sesamolin based on antiproliferation and inhibition of migration was demonstrated in human colon cancer cells. In addition, treatment with sesamolin could stimulate immune cells to enhance the cytolytic activity to kill Burkitt’s lymphoma cells. However, the toxicity and safety of sesamolin have not been reported. And there is also less information on the experimental study in vivo. The limited aqueous solubility of sesamolin becomes the main problem, which affects its pharmacological activity in the in vitro experiment and clinical efficacy. Therefore, solubility enhancement is needed for further investigation and determination of its pharmacological activity profiles. Since there are fewer reports studying this issue, it could become a future prospective research opportunity.

Sesamolin Protects Mice From Ovariectomized Bone Loss by Inhibiting Osteoclastogenesis and RANKL-Mediated NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways

This article was submitted to Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology. Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), which increases the risk of fracture, is the most common bone disease in women. PMOP not only increases the risk of death but also imposes a financial burden on countless families. At present, most of the drugs used to treat osteoporosis have significant side effects, so it is important to find effective anti-osteoporosis medications without major side effects. Sesamolin (Ses) is a kind of natural lignan extracted from sesame oil. Many researches have shown that Ses has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer effects, however it is still unknown whether it has any effect on osteoporosis. In this research, we explored the therapeutic effect of Ses in the process of osteoclast formation and bone resorption and found that Ses effectively inhibited osteoclast formation in vitro through TRAcP staining and hydroxyapatite resorption assays. Through Western blot analysis of the NF-κB pathway, MAPK pathway, c-Fos and NFATc1, it was found that Ses not only effectively inhibited the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways induced by RANKL but also significantly reduced the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1. Several genes specifically expressed in osteoclasts were determined by qPCR, and Ses was also found to play a significant inhibitory role on the expression of these genes. Besides, an osteoporosis model induced in ovariectomized (OVX) mice was employed to verify that Ses could effectively reduce bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency in vivo. In conclusion, Ses showed promise as a new treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Sesamolin promotes cytolysis and migration activity of natural killer cells via dendritic cells

The defense mechanism of the immune system is based on the interaction of many kinds of leukocytes. Among them, dendritic cells (DCs) control most immune responses. In our previous study, sesamolin was shown to create an optimal environment for natural killer (NK) cells to kill cancer cells. Here we attempted to demonstrate how sesamolin influences DCs to promote the killing and migration activity of NK cells. We co-cultured DCs and NK cells and analyzed the communication between them. NK cells co-cultured with 5 µg/ml sesamolin-treated mature dendritic cells (mDCs) had better cytolytic activity than did NK cells or mDCs co-cultured NK cells. Moreover, the migration of NK cells toward mDCs was enhanced compared to immature dendritic cells (iDCs). The migration of NK cells stimulated by mDCs was stronger after sesamolin activation of the mDCs. Altogether, this study demonstrated that sesamolin activated NK cells by modulating the differentiation and activation of DCs.