Health benefits of sesamin on cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors

Phytochemical screening of Zanthoxylum armatum roots and exploring its polyphenol content and antioxidant activity

The objective of the article is to investigate the chemical composition of Zanthoxylum armatum roots methanolic extract and to evaluate the polyphenol content and antioxidant potential. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - Photo Diode Array (HPLC-PDA) techniques were used to characterize chemical composition of methanolic extract of roots. The GC-MS analysis extract resulted in the isolation of thirty-seven phytochemical constituents in methanol extracts. The root extracts were strongly characterized by 1-Propene, 2-nitro-3-(1-cyclooctenyl), (2E,4E)-N-Isobutyldodeca-2,4-dienamide, (+)- Seasmin and Paulowin. The phenolic composition of the root extract quantified by using HPLC revealed Ascorbic acid as most abundant polyphenol, followed by Gallic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Epigallocatechin gallate, Vanillic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, while Caffeic acid was the recorded as least. In addition, root extract also showed the presence of antioxidant activity (DPPH Free radical scavenging, Metal Chelating and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Activity) and polyphenol content (Total Phenol, Flavonoid, and Tannin Content).

Effects of Sesamin in Animal Models of Obesity-Associated Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

As living standards have improved and lifestyles have undergone changes, metabolic diseases associated with obesity have become increasingly prevalent. It is well established that sesamin (Ses) (PubChem CID: 72307), the primary lignans in sesame seeds and sesame oil, possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Ses on animal models of obesity-related diseases was performed to assess their impact on relevant disease parameters. Importantly, this study sought to provide insights for the design of future human clinical studies utilizing Ses as a nutritional supplement or drug.

DATA SOURCES

This study conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, identifying English language articles published from inception to April 2023.

DATA EXTRACTION

The search incorporated keywords such as "sesamin," "obesity," "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," "type 2 diabetes mellitus," and "metabolic syndrome." The meta-analysis included 17 articles on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

DATA ANALYSIS

Overall, the pooled results demonstrated that Ses significantly reduced levels of total serum cholesterol (P = .010), total serum triglycerides (P = .003), alanine transaminase (P = .003), and blood glucose (P < .001), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P = .012) in animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In the type 2 diabetes model, Ses mitigated drug-induced weight loss (P < .001), high-fat-diet-induced weight gain (P < .001), and blood glucose levels (P = .001). In the metabolic syndrome model, Ses was associated with a significant reduction in body weight (P < .001), total serum cholesterol (P < .001), total serum triglycerides (P < .001), blood glucose (P < .001), and alanine transaminase levels (P = .039).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis results of this study suggest that Ses supplementation yields favorable effects in animal models of obesity-related diseases, including hypolipidemic, insulin-lowering, and hypoglycemic abilities, as well as organ protection from oxidative stress and reduced inflammation.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023438502.

Effect of prepared herbal mouthwash in maintaining the oral health of school children: A single-blind randomised control trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Oral health is a vital indicator of overall well-being, quality of life, and general health, with historical roots in Unani medicine (i.e. preventive measures, oral hygiene, and treatment). This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of prepared herbal mouthwash in maintaining oral health among school children.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

110 schoolchildren were randomly assigned to the test group (treated with herbal mouthwash -Anacyclus pyrenthrum DC, Punica granutum (pericarp), Capparis spinosa (root bark), and Quercus infectoria Oliv (galls)) and the control group (treated with 0.2 % Chlorhexidine Mouthwash) for 30-days. The response was assessed by DMFT, Salivary pH, Oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), Plaque index (Loe & Silness) (PI), Plaque index simplified (O'Leary et al., 1972) (PI-S), Gingival Index (Löe-Silness) (GI), and Bleeding on probing (BOP) on baseline and 30th day GI and PI were further assessed on 60th, 90th and 120th days to determine the sustainable effect of the intervention.

RESULTS

After treatment, Mean OHI-S, PI, PI-S, GI and BOP significantly reduced on the 30th day from baseline (p ≤ 0.001) in both groups. After discontinuing intervention, both groups showed significantly lower PI and GI scores on the 120th day from baseline. (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that prepared mouthwash is safe and significantly effective in maintaining oral health, and it could be used as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene measures.

Sesame Genomic Web Resource (SesameGWR): a well-annotated data resource for transcriptomic signatures of abiotic and biotic stress responses in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a globally cultivated oilseed crop renowned for its historical significance and widespread growth in tropical and subtropical regions. With notable nutritional and medicinal attributes, sesame has shown promising effects in combating malnutrition cancer, diabetes, and other diseases like cardiovascular problems. However, sesame production faces significant challenges from environmental threats such as charcoal rot, drought, salinity, and waterlogging stress, resulting in economic losses for farmers. The scarcity of information on stress-resistance genes and pathways exacerbates these challenges. Despite its immense importance, there is currently no platform available to provide comprehensive information on sesame, which significantly hinders the mining of various stress-associated genes and the molecular breeding of sesame. To address this gap, here a free, web-accessible, and user-friendly genomic web resource (SesameGWR, http://backlin.cabgrid.res.in/sesameGWR/) has been developed This platform provides key insights into differentially expressed genes, transcription factors, miRNAs, and molecular markers like simple sequence repeats, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and insertions and deletions associated with both biotic and abiotic stresses.. The functional genomics information and annotations embedded in this web resource were predicted through RNA-seq data analysis. Considering the impact of climate change and the nutritional and medicinal importance of sesame, this study is of utmost importance in understanding stress responses. SesameGWR will serve as a valuable tool for developing climate-resilient sesame varieties, thereby enhancing the productivity of this ancient oilseed crop.

4-hydroxysesamin protects rat with right ventricular failure due to pulmonary hypertension by inhibiting JNK/p38 MAPK signaling

The specific mechanism of 4-hydroxysesamin (4-HS), a modification of Sesamin, on right ventricular failure due to pulmonary hypertension (PH) is ominous. By creating a rat model of PH in vivo and a model of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) hypoxia and inflammation in vitro, the current work aimed to investigate in depth the molecular mechanism of the protective effect of 4-HS. In an in vitro model of hypoxia PASMC, changes in cell proliferation and inflammatory factors were detected after treatment with 4-HS, followed by changes in the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway as detected by Western blot signaling pathway. The findings demonstrated that 4-HS was able to minimize PASMC cell death, block the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and resist the promoting effect of hypoxia on PASMC cell proliferation. Following that, we found that 4-HS could both mitigate the right ventricular damage brought on by MCT and had a protective impact on rats Monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH in in vivo investigations. The key finding of this study is that 4-HS may protect against PH by inhibiting the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

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.

4-Hydroxysesamin, a Modified Natural Compound, Attenuates Neuronal Apoptosis After Ischemic Stroke via Inhibiting MAPK Pathway

Background

The 4-hydroxysesamin (4-HS, a di-tetrahydrofuran lignin) is a modified sesamin that was prepared in the laboratory. This preclinical study was designed to preliminarily investigate the neuroprotective properties of 4-HS.

Methods

In vitro, neuronal injury and inflammation were simulated by oxygen-glucose deprivation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in mouse hippocampal neuronal HT22 cell line, and treated with 4-HS and/or metformin (MET, MAPK pathway activator for exploring mechanism). CCK-8, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, and inflammation. Apoptosis- and pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was constructed as a stroke model and treated with 4-HS for in vivo confirmation. Histological staining was used for in vivo evaluation of 4-HS properties.

Results

The 4-HS showed similar anti-inflammatory activity to sesamin but did not affect the cell viability of HT22 cells. In vitro, 4-HS improved the cell viability, ameliorated neuronal apoptosis, along with the reversion of apoptotic proteins (Bax, cleaved-caspase 3/9, Bcl-2) expression and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10) in LPS-treated HT22 cells. The 4-HS suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 but the addition of MET reversed 4-HS-induced changes of phenotype and protein expression in LPS-treated cells. In vivo, 4-HS showed apparent improvement in cerebral infarction, brain tissue morphology, neuronal architecture, apoptosis, and inflammation of MCAO mice, and also showed inhibiting effects on the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38, confirming in vivo results.

Conclusion

In this first pre-clinical study on 4-HS, we preliminarily demonstrated the neuroprotective properties of 4-HS both in cell and animal models, and proposed that the underlying mechanism might be associated with the MAPK pathway.

Sesamin and sesamolin potentially inhibit adipogenesis through downregulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ protein expression and activity in 3T3-L1 cells

Sesamin and sesamolin are major sesame lignans that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties and potential benefits in the liver, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome. However, despite previous research on their antiobesity effects and underlying mechanisms, a comprehensive investigation of these aspects is still lacking. In this study, we evaluated the regulatory effects of 20 to 80 µM sesamin and sesamolin on adipogenesis in vitro using 3T3-L1 cells as a model cell line. We hypothesized that the lignans would inhibit adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells through the regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Our data indicate that sesamin and sesamolin inhibited the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells by dose-dependently decreasing lipid accumulation and triglyceride formation. Sesamin and sesamolin reduced the mRNA and protein expression of the adipogenesis-related transcription factors, PPARγ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, leading to the dose-dependent downregulations of their downstream targets, fatty acid binding protein 4, hormone-sensitive lipase, lipoprotein lipase, and glucose transporter 4. In addition, glucose uptake was dose-dependently attenuated by sesamin and sesamolin in both differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and HepG2 cells. Interestingly, our results suggested that sesamin and sesamolin might directly bind to PPARγ to inhibit its transcriptional activity. Finally, sesamin and sesamolin decreased the phosphorylation of 3 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling components in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that sesamin and sesamolin may exhibit antiobesity effects by potentially downregulating PPARγ and its downstream genes through the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, offering important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the potential antiobesity effects of sesamin and sesamolin.

Sesame cake extract attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis through inhibition of oxidative stress in mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease occurring in the gut causing chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain with severe complications. Sesame cake is a by-product of sesame oil production, possessing various beneficial properties; however, little is known about the effect of sesame cake extract (SCE) against IBD. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of SCE against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Administration of SCE was first performed at 7 days before treating mice with 2.5% DSS to induce colitis for 7 days. SCE pretreatment improved symptoms of DSS-induced colitis. In addition, SCE ameliorated histopathological damages of the mucus layer in colon tissues and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines in colitis-induced mice. SCE also suppressed apoptosis and oxidative stress in colitis-induced colon tissues. Together, these findings suggest that SCE could be potential nutraceuticals for treating colitis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01367-1.

Bioactive Constituents in Cold-Pressed Plant Oils: Their Structure, Bioactivity and Chromatographic Analysis

Cold-pressed oils are oils prepared from pressing plant materials with a screw or hydraulic press, yielding oils with little contamination of harmful chemicals and high content of nutrients and functional constituents. Cold-pressed oils have gained increasing recognition as food supplements for preventing and ameliorating body deterioration due to ageing and the progression of lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases. This article aimed to review their structure, bioactivity, and chromatographic analysis of the mostly found functional compounds in cold-pressed oils, including phytosterols, carotenoids, tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols), phenolic compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, and lignans), and squalene.

Sesamin attenuates UVA-induced keratinocyte injury via inhibiting ASK-1-JNK/p38 MAPK pathways

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in keratinocytes is a crucial factor in skin aging. Phytochemicals have become widely popular for protecting the skin from UV-induced cell injury. Sesamin (SSM) has been shown to play a role in extensive pharmacological activity and exhibit photoprotective effects.

AIM

To assess the protective effect of SSM on UVA-irradiated keratinocytes and determine its potential antiphotoaging effect.

METHODS

HaCaT keratinocytes pretreated with SSM were exposed to UVA radiation at 8 J/cm2 for 10 min. Cell viability and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay kits. Apoptosis and intracellular ROS levels were analyzed using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propyridine iodide and dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining, respectively. Protein levels of matrix metalloprotein-1 (MMP-1), MMP-9, Bax/Bcl-2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins, phospho-apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (p-ASK-1)/ASK-1, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (p-JNK)/JNK, and p-p38/p38 were determined using western blotting.

RESULTS

Sesamin showed no cytotoxicity until 160 μmol/L on human keratinocytes. Sesamin pretreatment (20 and 40 μM) reversed the suppressed cell viability, increased LDH release and MDA content, decreased cellular antioxidants GSH and SOD, and elevated intracellular ROS levels, which were induced by UVA irradiation. Additionally, SSM inhibited the expression of Bax, MMP-1, and MMP-9 and stimulated Bcl-2 expression. In terms of the regulatory mechanisms, we demonstrated that SSM inhibits the phosphorylation of ASK-1, JNK, and p38.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that SSM attenuates UVA-induced keratinocyte injury by inhibiting the ASK-1-JNK/p38 MAPK pathways.

Intervertebral disc degeneration and inflammatory microenvironment: expression, pathology, and therapeutic strategies

BACKGROUND

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a leading cause of low back pain (LBP), posing a significant socioeconomic burden. Recent studies highlight the crucial role of inflammatory microenvironment in IDD progression.

METHOD

A keyword-based search was performed using the PubMed database for published articles.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Dysregulated expression of inflammatory cytokines disrupts intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis, causing atrophy, fibrosis, and phenotypic changes in nucleus pulposus cells. Modulating the inflammatory microenvironment and restoring cytokine balance hold promise for IVD repair and regeneration. This comprehensive review systematically examines the expression regulation, pathological effects, therapeutic strategies, and future challenges associated with the inflammatory microenvironment and relevant cytokines in IDD. Key inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and chemokines, exhibit significant pathological effects in IDD. Furthermore, major therapeutic modalities such as chemical antagonists, biologics, plant extracts, and gene transcription therapies are introduced to control and ameliorate the inflammatory microenvironment. These approaches provide valuable insights for identifying potential targets in future anti-inflammatory treatments for IDD.

Effectiveness of repeated mutagenesis of sesame crosses for enhancing polygenic variability in F2M2 generation

The value of combining hybridization and mutagenesis in sesame was examined to determine if treating hybrid sesame plant material with mutagens generated greater genetic variability in four key productivity traits than either the separate hybridization or mutation of plant material. In a randomized block design with three replications, six F2M2 varieties, three F2varieties, and three parental varieties were assessed at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The plant characteristics height, number of seed capsules per plant, and seed yield per plant had greater variability in the F2M2 generation than their respective controls (F2), however, the number of primary branches per plant varied less than in the control population. The chances for trait selection to be operative were high for all the characteristics examined except the number of primary branches per plant, as indicated by heritability estimates. Increases in the mean and variability of the characteristics examined indicted a greater incidence of beneficial mutations and the breakdown of undesirable linkages with increased recombination. At both phenotypic and genotypic levels strong positive correlations between both primary branch number and capsule number with seed yield suggest that these traits are important for indirect improvement in sesame seed yield. As a result of the association analysis, sesame seed yield and its component traits improved significantly, which may be attributed to the independent polygenic mutations and enlarged recombination of the polygenes controlling the examined characteristics. Compared to the corresponding control treatment or to one cycle of mutagenic treatment, two cycles of mutagenic treatment resulted in increased variability, higher transgressive segregates, PTS mean and average transgression for sesame seed yield. These findings highlight the value of implementing two EMS treatment cycles to generate improved sesame lines. Furthermore, the extra variability created through hybridization may have potential in subsequent breeding research and improved seed yield segregants may be further advanced to develop ever-superior sesame varieties.

Effects of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and bioactive compounds (sesamin and sesamolin) on inflammation and atherosclerosis: A review

Inflammation, oxidative stress, obesity, infection, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes are the main causes of atherosclerosis, which in the long term lead to hardening of the arteries. In the current study, we reviewed recent findings of the mechanism of sesame and its active compounds of sesamin and sesamolin regulates on atherosclerosis. Sesame can decrease the lipid peroxidation and affect the enzymes, which control the balance of oxidative status in the body. Besides modulating the inflammatory cytokines, sesame regulates the main mediators of the signaling pathways in the process of inflammation, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). Sesame decreases the growth of different pathogens. It fights against obesity and helps to reduce weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and lipid count of serum and liver. In addition to lowering fasting blood sugar (FBS), it decreases the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and glucose levels and improves insulin function. With high content of linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), sesame efficiently controls the blood plasma lipids and changes the lipid profile. In the case of hypertension, it maintains the health of endothelium through multiple mechanisms and conserves the response of the arteries to vasodilation. PUFA in sesame suppresses blood clotting and fibrinogen activity. All the mentioned properties combat atherosclerosis and hardening of blood vessels, which are detailed in the present review for sesame.

Physicochemical, potential nutritional, antioxidant and health properties of sesame seed oil: a review

Sesame (Sesanum indicum L.) is one of the primary annual oilseeds grown in Africa and Asia. Sesame seed oil (SSO) is of great economic and human nutrition interest worldwide. Due to its composition in phytochemical antioxidants and profile in unsaturated fatty acids, sesame is used as a biological source of essential fatty acids. It contains bioactive compounds such as lignans (sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin), tocopherols and phytosterols. The oleic/linoleic fatty acids ratio of sesame makes it important for human health. SSO has bioactive compounds that can help prevent certain cardiovascular, metabolized and coronary diseases. The ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids in SSO are precursors to eicosanoids that regulate the immune system and inflammatory functions. The essential fatty acids contained in this oil are essential for cell construction and highly recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy. The consumption of SSO allows both a decrease in the LDL-cholesterol complex and an increase in the HDL-cholesterol complex. It regulates blood sugar and may have favorable effects on people with liver cancer and those developing fatty liver disease. In this review, the nutritional value, antioxidant properties, and health benefits of SSO have been compiled to provide collective information of nutritional and medical interest.

Lignan-Rich Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivar Exhibits In Vitro Anti-Cholinesterase Activity, Anti-Neurotoxicity in Amyloid-β Induced SH-SY5Y Cells, and Produces an In Vivo Nootropic Effect in Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impaired Mice

Alzheimer's disease, a major cause of dementia, is characterized by impaired cholinergic function, increased oxidative stress, and amyloid cascade induction. Sesame lignans have attracted considerable attention owing to their beneficial effects on brain health. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of lignan-rich sesame cultivars. Among the 10 sesame varieties studied, Milyang 74 (M74) extracts exhibited the highest total lignan content (17.71 mg/g) and in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (66.17%, 0.4 mg/mL). M74 extracts were the most effective in improving cell viability and inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) generation in amyloid-β_25-35 fragment-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Thus, M74 was used to evaluate the nootropic effects of sesame extracts and oil on scopolamine (2 mg/kg)-induced memory impairment in mice compared to the control cultivar (Goenback). Pretreatment with the M74 extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and oil (1 and 2 mL/kg) effectively improved memory disorder in mice (demonstrated by the passive avoidance test), inhibited AChE, and enhanced acetylcholine (Ach) levels. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and Western blot results showed that the M74 extract and oil reversed the scopolamine-induced increase in APP, BACE-1, and presenilin expression levels in the amyloid cascade and decreased BDNF and NGF expression levels in neuronal regeneration.

The Potential of Ginkgo biloba as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds-A Review of the Recent Literature and Patents

Ginkgo biloba is a relict tree species showing high resistance to adverse biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Its fruits and leaves have high medicinal value due to the presence of flavonoids, terpene trilactones and phenolic compounds. However, ginkgo seeds contain toxic and allergenic alkylphenols. The publication revises the latest research results (mainly from 2018-2022) regarding the chemical composition of extracts obtained from this plant and provides information on the use of extracts or their selected ingredients in medicine and food production. A very important section of the publication is the part in which the results of the review of patents concerning the use of Ginkgo biloba and its selected ingredients in food production are presented. Despite the constantly growing number of studies on its toxicity and interactions with synthetic drugs, its health-promoting properties are the reason for the interest of scientists and motivation to create new food products.

Dietary Phenolic Compounds: Their Health Benefits and Association with the Gut Microbiota

Oxidative stress causes various diseases, such as type II diabetes and dyslipidemia, while antioxidants in foods may prevent a number of diseases and delay aging by exerting their effects in vivo. Phenolic compounds are phytochemicals such as flavonoids which consist of flavonols, flavones, flavanonols, flavanones, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, lignans, stilbenoids, curcuminoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. They have phenolic hydroxyl groups in their molecular structures. These compounds are present in most plants, are abundant in nature, and contribute to the bitterness and color of various foods. Dietary phenolic compounds, such as quercetin in onions and sesamin in sesame, exhibit antioxidant activity and help prevent cell aging and diseases. In addition, other kinds of compounds, such as tannins, have larger molecular weights, and many unexplained aspects still exist. The antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds may be beneficial for human health. On the other hand, metabolism by intestinal bacteria changes the structures of these compounds with antioxidant properties, and the resulting metabolites exert their effects in vivo. In recent years, it has become possible to analyze the composition of the intestinal microbiota. The augmentation of the intestinal microbiota by the intake of phenolic compounds has been implicated in disease prevention and symptom recovery. Furthermore, the “brain–gut axis”, which is a communication system between the gut microbiome and brain, is attracting increasing attention, and research has revealed that the gut microbiota and dietary phenolic compounds affect brain homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the usefulness of dietary phenolic compounds with antioxidant activities against some diseases, their biotransformation by the gut microbiota, the augmentation of the intestinal microflora, and their effects on the brain–gut axis.

Understanding the molecular mechanism of Ginkgo Folium-Forsythiae Fructus for cerebral atherosclerosis treatment using network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

Cerebral atherosclerosis (CA) is a chronic disease caused by multiple infarcts and atrophy causing nerve degenerative syndrome. Ginkgo Folium (GF) and Forsythiae Fructus (FF) have shown positive effects on vascular protection, but their relationship with CA is unclear. This study aimed to identify the potential CA targets and mechanisms of action of GF-FF, using network pharmacology.

OBJECTIVE

This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking to examine the potential targets and pharmacological mechanism of GF-FF on CA.

METHODS

Using the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform, components were screened and corresponding targets were predicted using boundary values and Swiss Target Prediction. Using Cytoscape 3.8.0, a network was established between GF-FF components and CA targets. We extracted disease genes and constructed a network of targets based on the protein-protein interaction networks functional enrichment analysis database. Using Metascape, the Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes of the enriched targets were determined. AutoDock Vina was used to perform molecular docking.

RESULTS

Twenty-three active ingredients of GF-FF were confirmed to treat CA, covering 109 targets, of which 48 were CA-related. Luteolin, bicuculline, sesamin, kaempferol, quercetin, and ginkgolide B were the vital active compounds, and EGFR, CYP2E1, CREB1, CYP19A1, PTGS2, PPARG, PPARA, ESR1, MMP9, MAPK14, MAPK8, and PLG were the major targets. The molecular docking showed that these compounds and targets exhibited good intercalation. These 48 protein targets produced effects on CA by modulating pathways such as "apoptosis-multiple species," "IL-17 signaling pathway," and "relaxin signaling pathway."

CONCLUSIONS

As predicted by network pharmacology, GF-FF exerts anti-tumor effects through multiple components and targets for treatment of CA, providing new clinical ideas for CA treatment.

Therapeutic Potential of Phenolic Compounds in Medicinal Plants-Natural Health Products for Human Health

Phenolic compounds and flavonoids are potential substitutes for bioactive agents in pharmaceutical and medicinal sections to promote human health and prevent and cure different diseases. The most common flavonoids found in nature are anthocyanins, flavones, flavanones, flavonols, flavanonols, isoflavones, and other sub-classes. The impacts of plant flavonoids and other phenolics on human health promoting and diseases curing and preventing are antioxidant effects, antibacterial impacts, cardioprotective effects, anticancer impacts, immune system promoting, anti-inflammatory effects, and skin protective effects from UV radiation. This work aims to provide an overview of phenolic compounds and flavonoids as potential and important sources of pharmaceutical and medical application according to recently published studies, as well as some interesting directions for future research. The keyword searches for flavonoids, phenolics, isoflavones, tannins, coumarins, lignans, quinones, xanthones, curcuminoids, stilbenes, cucurmin, phenylethanoids, and secoiridoids medicinal plant were performed by using Web of Science, Scopus, Google scholar, and PubMed. Phenolic acids contain a carboxylic acid group in addition to the basic phenolic structure and are mainly divided into hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids. Hydroxybenzoic acids are based on a C6-C1 skeleton and are often found bound to small organic acids, glycosyl moieties, or cell structural components. Common hydroxybenzoic acids include gallic, syringic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, gentistic, and salicylic acids. Hydroxycinnamic acids are based on a C6-C3 skeleton and are also often bound to other molecules such as quinic acid and glucose. The main hydroxycinnamic acids are caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids.

Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Extracts from Three Underutilized Food Plants of North East India

Three underutilized leafy vegetables Sarcochlamys pulcherrima (Roxb.) Gaudich (SP), Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (IA) and Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC (ZR) were extracted with different solvents viz. 95 % ethyl alcohol, methanol and hot water. The extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potential via DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay along with electroanalytical studies using cyclic voltammetry. The antidiabetic potential was determined by recording their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) based phytochemical profiles of the extracts were also determined. All three extracts of SP exhibited significant antioxidant capacity. The antidiabetic potential of the IA and ZR extracts was found to be higher than or at par with that of standard acarbose. LC/MS studies reveal the presence of hitherto reported antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds like gamma-aminobutyric acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, α-viniferin, piperlonguminine, niacin, kaempferol, etc., in the extracts.

Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition of Mahewu (a Southern African Fermented Food Product) Derived from White and Yellow Maize (Zea mays) with Different Inocula

Mahweu is an important indigenous beverage for many low-income and undernourished consumers in southern Africa. As a result, the nutritional and phytochemical profile of mahewu samples (obtained using optimized fermentation and boiling conditions from a previous study) as well as their related raw materials (white and yellow maize) were investigated. At these conditions, white and yellow maize mahewu (WM and YM) were prepared utilizing various inocula including sorghum malt, wheat, millet malt, or maize malt, and the pH, titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solid (TSS), and proximate analysis were determined. The mineral content, amino acid composition, and phenolic compound profile were also investigated using inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS), respectively. Fermentation was observed to have influenced the proximate composition of obtained mahewu samples compared to the raw flour with significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvement in protein from 8.59 to 9.7% (YM) and 8.78 to 9% (WM) as well as carbohydrate from 72.27 to 74.47% (YM) and 71.15 to 72.65% (WM). Sodium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc were the minerals detected in the mahewu samples, while potassium was the most abundant mineral, having values ranging from 3051.61 to 3283.38 mg/kg (YM) and 2882.11 to 3129.97 mg/kg (WM). Heavy metals detected in this study were all below the recommended tolerable levels by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Arginine and leucine with values ranging from 0.47 to 0.52 g/100 g (YM) and 0.48 to 0.53 g/100 g (WM) as well as 0.91 to 1.04 g/100 g (YM) and 0.95 to 1.01 g/100 g (WM), respectively, were the most abundant essential amino acids, whereas for non-essential amino acids, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, and proline were observed to be abundant. Based on the different inocula, the derived mahewu samples prepared using either white or yellow maize have varying nutritional and health beneficial components and the choice of inocula might still be determined by consumer preference.

Trained immunity in monocyte/macrophage: Novel mechanism of phytochemicals in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the pathology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), characterized by persistent chronic inflammation in the vessel wall, in which monocytes/macrophages play a key role. It has been reported that innate immune system cells can assume a persistent proinflammatory state after short stimulation with endogenous atherogenic stimuli. The pathogenesis of AS can be influenced by this persistent hyperactivation of the innate immune system, which is termed trained immunity. Trained immunity has also been implicated as a key pathological mechanism, leading to persistent chronic inflammation in AS. Trained immunity is mediated via epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming and occurs in mature innate immune cells and their bone marrow progenitors. Natural products are promising candidates for novel pharmacological agents that can be used to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A variety of natural products and agents exhibiting antiatherosclerotic abilities have been reported to potentially interfere with the pharmacological targets of trained immunity. This review describes in as much detail as possible the mechanisms involved in trained immunity and how phytochemicals of this process inhibit AS by affecting trained monocytes/macrophages.

Characterization of Traditional Chinese Sesame Oil by Using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Electronic Nose, Sensory Evaluation, and RapidOxy

Xiao Mo Xiang You (XMXY) is a traditional Chinese sesame oil variety that is obtained through a hot water flotation process. This unique process gives the oil a unique aroma, health benefits, and excellent product stability. Although XMXY is always the most expensive among all the sesame oil varieties, it is usually used as a flavoring in many traditional Chinese daily food products and is increasingly popular. In order to reveal the characteristics of the oil, the volatile components, sensory evaluation, and oxidation stability of five XMXY samples were, respectively, analyzed by using headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography−mass spectrometry, an electronic nose, sensory evaluation, and RapidOxy. Comparisons and multidimensional statistical analysis were also carried out to distinguish XMXY from roasted sesame oil (RSO) and cold-pressed sesame oil (CSO) samples. In total, 69 volatiles were identified from XMXY, RSO, and CSO samples. Some compounds possessed high odor activity value (OAV > 1) in XMXY, including heterocyclic compounds, phenols, and sulfur-containing compounds. Additionally, they were also the main volatile components that distinguish XMXY from RSO and CSO. Roasted and nutty aromas were the dominant aroma attributes of XMXY. XMXY had better flavor intensity and oxidation stability than the other two sesame oil samples. These results are very valuable for the quality control and product identification of traditional Chinese sesame oil.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review of Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Composition, Health Benefits, Development of Food, and Industrial Applications

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), of the Pedaliaceae family, is one of the first oil crops used in humans. It is widely grown and has a mellow flavor and high nutritional value, making it very popular in the diet. Sesame seeds are rich in protein and lipids and have many health benefits. A number of in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials have found sesame seeds to be rich in lignan-like active ingredients. They have antioxidant, cholesterol reduction, blood lipid regulation, liver and kidney protection, cardiovascular system protection, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and other effects, which have great benefits to human health. In addition, the aqueous extract of sesame has been shown to be safe for animals. As an important medicinal and edible homologous food, sesame is used in various aspects of daily life such as food, feed, and cosmetics. The health food applications of sesame are increasing. This paper reviews the progress of research on the nutritional value, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and processing uses of sesame to support the further development of more functionalities of sesame.

A Comprehensive Review on Distribution, Pharmacological Properties, and Mechanisms of Action of Sesamin

Sesamin is a kind of fat-soluble lignan extracted from sesame seeds or other plants. It has attracted more and more attention because of its extensive pharmacological activities. In this study, we systematically summarized the pharmacological activities of sesamin including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, protection of liver and kidney, prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Studies focus on the abilities of sesamin to attenuate oxidative stress by reducing the levels of ROS and MDA, to inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, etc.), and to induce apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells through a variety of signaling pathways such as NF-κB, JNK, p38 MAPK, PI3K/AKT, caspase-3, and p53. By inhibiting the production of ROS, sesamin can also enhance the biological activities of NO in blood vessels, improve endothelial dysfunction and hypertension, and change the process of atherosclerotic lesion formation. In line with this, the various pharmacological properties of sesamin have been discussed in this review so that we can have a deeper understanding of the pharmacological activities of sesamin and clear the future development direction of sesamin.

Sesamin Ameliorates Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)-Induced Lung Injury via Suppression of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Rats

Lung damage can be caused by fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). Thus, effective prevention strategies for PM_2.5-induced lung injury are urgently required. Sesamin (Ses) is a natural polyphenolic compound that has attracted considerable attention of researchers because of its wide range of pharmacological activities. The present study aims to elucidate whether Ses pretreatment could alleviate PM_2.5-induced lung damage and identify its possible mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were orally dosed with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and different concentrations of Ses once a day for 21 days. Then, the rats of the PM_2.5 exposure group and Ses-treated group were exposed to PM_2.5 by intratracheal instillation every 2 days for 1 week. Biomarkers associated with lung injury were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung tissue was collected for histology, inflammation, oxidative stress, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Our results showed that PM_2.5 exposure could cause pathological changes in lung tissue and increase levels of TP, AKP, and ALB in BALF. Meanwhile, exposure to PM_2.5 can cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs. In addition, Ses pretreatment could ameliorate histopathological injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation caused by PM_2.5 exposure. It could also inhibit PM_2.5-induced apoptosis and upregulation of autophagy-associated proteins. Collectively, our study indicated that Ses pretreatment could ameliorate PM_2.5-induced lung damage via inhibiting apoptosis and autophagy in rats.

Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Therapeutic Perspectives of Phytochemicals

Low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide that declines the quality of life; it poses a substantial economic burden for the patient and society. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of low back pain, and it is also the pathological basis of several spinal degenerative diseases, such as intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis. The current clinical drug treatment of IDD focuses on the symptoms and not their pathogenesis, which results in frequent recurrence and gradual aggravation. Moreover, the side effects associated with the long-term use of these drugs further limit their use. The pathological mechanism of IDD is complex, and oxidative stress and inflammation play an important role in promoting IDD. They induce the destruction of the extracellular matrix in IVD and reduce the number of living cells and functional cells, thereby destroying the function of IVD and promoting the occurrence and development of IDD. Phytochemicals from fruits, vegetables, grains, and other herbs play a protective role in the treatment of IDD as they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This article reviews the protective effects of phytochemicals on IDD and their regulatory effects on different molecular pathways related to the pathogenesis of IDD. Moreover, the therapeutic limitations and future prospects of IDD treatment have also been reviewed. Phytochemicals are promising candidates for further development and research on IDD treatment.

Impact of roasting on the phenolic and volatile compounds in coffee beans

Phenolic compounds present in coffee beans could generate flavor and bring benefits to health. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of commercial roasting levels (light, medium, and dark) on phenolic content and antioxidant potential of Arabica coffee beans (Coffea arabica) comprehensively via antioxidant assays. The phenolic compounds in roasted samples were characterized via liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). Furthermore, the coffee volatile compounds were identified and semi-quantified by headspace/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Generally, for phenolic and antioxidant potential estimation, light roasted samples exhibited the highest TPC (free: 23.97 ± 0.60 mg GAE/g; bound: 19.32 ± 1.29 mg GAE/g), DPPH, and FRAP. The medium roasted beans performed the second high in all assays but the highest ABTS+ radicals scavenging capacity (free: 102.37 ± 8.10 mg TE/g; bound: 69.51 ± 4.20 mg TE/g). Totally, 23 phenolic compounds were tentatively characterized through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, which is mainly adopted by 15 phenolic acid and 5 other polyphenols. The majority of phenolic compounds were detected in the medium roasted samples, followed by the light. Regarding GC-MS, a total of 20 volatile compounds were identified and semi-quantified which exhibited the highest in the dark followed by the medium. Overall, this study confirmed that phenolic compounds in coffee beans would be reduced with intensive roasting, whereas their antioxidant capacity could be maintained or improved. Commercial medium roasted coffee beans exhibit relatively better nutritional value and organoleptic properties. Our results could narrow down previous conflicts and be practical evidence for coffee manufacturing in food industries.

Sesamin Activates Skeletal Muscle FNDC5 Expression and Increases Irisin Secretion via the SIRT1 Signaling Pathway

Sesamin, a major lignin mainly found in sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil and sesame seeds, has been demonstrated to possess lipoclasis-promoting, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects. Irisin is a newly discovered myokine that has attracted great interest as a key target to prevent/treat obesity and its related metabolic diseases. However, the effect and potential mechanism of sesamin on FNDC5/irisin are still vacant. In this study, we showed that sesamin treatment increased FNDC5/irisin activation and regulated SIRT1, PGC-1α, and p-SMAD3/SMAD3 expression in C2C12 cells. By using specific inhibitors and lentivirus in C2C12 cells, we found that the SIRT1/SMAD3 axis plays an important role in sesamin regulated FNDC5/irisin activation. We also found that sesamin treatment activated FNDC5 expression and regulated the SIRT1/SMAD3 signaling axis in mice's skeletal muscle. What is more, by the high-fat diet induced obese model, we further showed that sesamin improved the high-fat diet induced decrease in irisin production and secretion, which results in an improvement of body weight gain and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Our results suggested that sesamin could activate FNDC5 expression and stimulate irisin secretion through the SIRT1 pathway both in vitro and in vivo, which may provide a new strategy for preventing and improving irisin deficiency related diseases.

Developmental effects of sesamolin on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Sesamolin is one of the major active compounds found in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) that are commonly and increasingly used as an ingredient in cuisines and various food products. The compound has been reported to have several pharmaceutical activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and anticancer. However, the toxicological profile of sesamolin does not currently include developmental toxicity. In this study, we assessed sesamolin toxicity to embryonic development of zebrafish by exposure for 72 h at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 μM. The evaluation revealed that sesamolin did not affect survival and hatching rates. However, it did induce embryo malformations and reduced embryonic heart rates in a dose-dependent manner. By qRT-PCR analysis, it downregulated the expression of oxidative stress-related genes, including superoxide dismutase 1 (sod1), catalase (cat), and glutathione S-transferase pi 2 (gstp2). Alkaline phosphatase staining of embryos revealed that sesamolin inhibited the development of subintestinal vessels, and hemoglobin staining revealed a negative impact on embryonic erythropoiesis. These findings showed that sesamolin affected genes related to angiogenesis and erythropoiesis. The risks of sesamolin to embryonic development found in this study may imply similar effects in humans and other mammals.

Sesamin Acts as Anti-leukemic Compound Interacting with Novel Phosphoprotein Targets and Inducing Apoptosis in Leukemic Cells

Leukemia is one of the high-incidence cancers that is characterized by an abnormal production of immature white blood cells. Subject to many reports on the side effects of conventional chemotherapy, herbs and natural compounds have been studied as an alternative medicine. In this study, sesamin, a lignan in sesame seed with pharmaceutical functions including anti-cancer, was chosen and treated with MOLT-4 and NB4 leukemic cell lines in various concentrations for 24 and 48 hours. The effect of sesamin on cell inhibition and expression levels of apoptotic genes in leukemic cell lines were investigated by MTT assay and real-time PCR, respectively. Moreover, apoptotic proteins were studied by mass spectrometry and bioinformatics tools to investigate the relation between sesamin and targeted proteins. Results showed that sesamin increased cell inhibition in both cell lines in dose- and time-dependent manner. Levels of caspase-3, -7, -8, and -9 gene expressions significantly increased, while BCL-2 decreased drastically in sesamin-treated cells. From bioinformatics study, PARP4, IPPK and caspase family proteins were found to be involved in sesamin that induced apoptosis in leukemic cells. Besides, doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug, also shared the same protein targets as sesamin in apoptosis pathway. Sesamin demonstrates its potential to enhance cell inhibition and promotes cell apoptosis in both MOLT-4 and NB4 leukemic cell lines. This study will benefit the development of sesamin as an effective anti-leukemia drug in the future.

Sesamin attenuates PM2.5-induced cardiovascular injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in rats

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacological effects of sesamin (Ses) and its mechanism of action towards PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular injuries. Method: Forty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: a saline control group; a PM_2.5 exposure group; and low-, middle-, and high-dose Ses pretreatment groups. The SD rats were pretreated with different concentrations of Ses for 21 days. Afterward, the rats were exposed to ambient PM_2.5 by intratracheal instillation every other day for a total of three times. The levels of inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and indicators related to oxidative responses, such as total superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured in the blood and heart. The expression of ferroptosis-related proteins in heart tissues was determined via western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Ses pretreatment substantially ameliorated cardiovascular injuries in rats as evidenced by the decrease in the pathological score and collagen area. The decreased levels of SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px in the heart and serum were inhibited by Ses. In addition, Ses not only notably increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes but also reduced the levels of MDA, CK, LDH, CK-MB, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Furthermore, Ses pretreatment upregulated the expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, TFRC, and FPN1 and inhibited the expression levels of FTH1 and FTL. Conclusion: Ses pretreatment could ameliorate PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular injuries perhaps by inhibiting ferroptosis. Therefore, Ses pretreatment may be a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular injury.

Route of intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity of sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin in human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells

The intracellular uptake concentration determines drug absorption, drug activity, and toxicity. Sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin are promising bioactive components from Sesame indicum L. Their respective intracellular uptake pathway and cytotoxicity were evaluated using melanoma and non-cancerous cells. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were built to identify the molecular features affecting drug uptake in cells. The respective intracellular uptake pathway for sesamol vs. sesamin and sesamolin was carrier-mediated vs. passive transport. Topological polar surface area (PSA) and 2D autocorrections increase the intracellular concentration (C/M ratio) of these compounds. Sesamol has the lowest C/M ratio compared to sesamin and sesamolin, but only sesamol inhibits the cell viability of melanoma and provides an inhibition concentration at 50% (IC₅₀) against melanoma cells. The slightly aqueous solubility of sesamin and sesamolin, therefore, limits testing of their cytotoxicity. In conclusion, sesamol has the potential to inhibit melanoma cell growth, but requires improvement of the C/M ratio to increase its physicochemical properties. Thus, in order to investigate the cytotoxicity of sesamin and sesamolin against melanoma cells a solubility enhancer is needed.

Dietary Phytoestrogens and Their Metabolites as Epigenetic Modulators with Impact on Human Health

The impact of dietary phytoestrogens on human health has been a topic of continuous debate since their discovery. Nowadays, based on their presumptive beneficial effects, the amount of phytoestrogens consumed in the daily diet has increased considerably worldwide. Thus, there is a growing need for scientific data regarding their mode of action in the human body. Recently, new insights of phytoestrogens’ bioavailability and metabolism have demonstrated an inter-and intra-population heterogeneity of final metabolites’ production. In addition, the phytoestrogens may have the ability to modulate epigenetic mechanisms that control gene expression. This review highlights the complexity and particularity of the metabolism of each class of phytoestrogens, pointing out the diversity of their bioactive gut metabolites. Futhermore, it presents emerging scientific data which suggest that, among well-known genistein and resveratrol, other phytoestrogens and their gut metabolites can act as epigenetic modulators with a possible impact on human health. The interconnection of dietary phytoestrogens’ consumption with gut microbiota composition, epigenome and related preventive mechanisms is discussed. The current challenges and future perspectives in designing relevant research directions to explore the potential health benefits of dietary phytoestrogens are also explored.

Sesamin Protects against and Ameliorates Rat Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury with Involvement of Activating Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 Signaling Pathway

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) may induce cell/tissue injuries, leading to multiple organ failure. Based on our preexperiments, we proposed that sesamin could protect against and ameliorate intestinal I/R injuries and related disorders with involvement of activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. This proposal was evaluated using SD intestinal I/R injury rats in vivo and hypoxia/reoxygenation- (H/R-) injured rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cell line (IEC-6 cells) in vitro. Sesamin significantly alleviated I/R-induced intestinal histopathological injuries and significantly reduced serum biochemical indicators ALT and AST, alleviating I/R-induced intestinal injury in rats. Sesamin also significantly reversed I/R-increased TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MPO activity in serum and MDA in tissues and I/R-decreased GSH in tissues and SOD in both tissues and IEC-6 cells, indicating its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress effects. Further, sesamin significantly decreased TUNEL-positive cells, downregulated the increased Bax and caspase-3 protein expression, upregulated the decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 in I/R-injured intestinal tissues, and significantly reversed H/R-reduced IEC-6 cell viability as well as reduced the number of apoptotic cells among H/R-injured IEC-6 cell, showing antiapoptotic effects. Activation of Nrf2 is known to ameliorate tissue/cell injuries. Consistent with sesamin-induced ameliorations of both intestinal I/R injuries and H/R injuries, transfection of Nrf2 cDNA significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1, respectively. On the contrary, either Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) or Nrf2 siRNA transfection significantly decreased the expression of these proteins. Our results suggest that activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway is involved in sesamin-induced anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiapoptotic effects in protection against and amelioration of intestinal I/R injuries.

Inhibition Potencies of Phytochemicals Derived from Sesame Against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: A Molecular Docking and Simulation Study

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has now spread across the nations with high mortality rates and multifaceted impact on human life. The proper treatment methods to overcome this contagious disease are still limited. The main protease enzyme (Mpro, also called 3CLpro) is essential for viral replication and has been considered as one of the potent drug targets for treating COVID-19. In this study, virtual screening was performed to find out the molecular interactions between 36 natural compounds derived from sesame and the Mpro of COVID-19. Four natural metabolites, namely, sesamin, sesaminol, sesamolin, and sesamolinol have been ranked as the top interacting molecules to Mpro based on the affinity of molecular docking. Moreover, stability of these four sesame-specific natural compounds has also been evaluated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for 200 nanoseconds. The molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations revealed that these compounds have stable and favorable energies, causing strong binding with Mpro. These screened natural metabolites also meet the essential conditions for drug likeness such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties as well as Lipinski's rule of five. Our finding suggests that these screened natural compounds may be evolved as promising therapeutics against COVID-19.

Polyphenols and Their Effects on Muscle Atrophy and Muscle Health

Skeletal muscle atrophy is the decrease in muscle mass and strength caused by reduced protein synthesis/accelerated protein degradation. Various conditions, such as denervation, disuse, aging, chronic diseases, heart disease, obstructive lung disease, diabetes, renal failure, AIDS, sepsis, cancer, and steroidal medications, can cause muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are among the major contributors to muscle atrophy, by modulating signaling pathways that regulate muscle homeostasis. To prevent muscle catabolism and enhance muscle anabolism, several natural and synthetic compounds have been investigated. Recently, polyphenols (i.e., natural phytochemicals) have received extensive attention regarding their effect on muscle atrophy because of their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have reported polyphenols as strongly effective bioactive molecules that attenuate muscle atrophy and enhance muscle health. This review describes polyphenols as promising bioactive molecules that impede muscle atrophy induced by various proatrophic factors. The effects of each class/subclass of polyphenolic compounds regarding protection against the muscle disorders induced by various pathological/physiological factors are summarized in tabular form and discussed. Although considerable variations in antiatrophic potencies and mechanisms were observed among structurally diverse polyphenolic compounds, they are vital factors to be considered in muscle atrophy prevention strategies.

The ABCA1-efferocytosis axis: A new strategy to protect against atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a disease process characterized by lipid accumulation and inflammation, is the main cause of coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Efferocytosis involves the clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes. Successful engulfment triggers the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines to suppress atherosclerosis. ABCA1 is a key mediator of cholesterol efflux to apoA-I for the generation of HDL-C in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Intriguingly, ABCA1 promotes not only cholesterol efflux but also efferocytosis. ABCA1 promotes efferocytosis by regulating the release of "find-me" ligands, including LPC, and the exposure, release, and expression of "eat-me" ligands, including PtdSer, ANXA1, ANXA5, MEGF10, and GULP1. ABCA1 has a pathway similar to TG2, which is an "eat-me" ligand. ABCA1 has the highest known homology to ABCA7, which controls efferocytosis as the engulfment and processing ligand. In addition, ABCA1 can form several regulatory feedback axes with ANXA1, MEGF10, GULP1, TNFα, and IL-6. Therefore, ABCA1 is the central factor that links cholesterol efflux and apoptotic cell clearance. Several drugs have been studied or approved for apoptotic cell clearance, such as CD47 antibody and PD1-/PD-L1 antibody. In this article, we review the role and mechanism of action of ABCA1 in efferocytosis and focus on new insights into the ABCA1-efferocytosis axis and its potential as a novel therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

Reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis in hyperlipidemic rats by composite oil (CO) of Sesamum indicum L. and Vicia faba L

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is a global health issue that can be alleviated by functional foods. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of composite oil (CO) of sesame seed oil (SSiO) and Vicia faba seed oil (SVfO) on inflammatory factors, ROS generation level, and cell apoptosis level on high lipid diet (HLD) induced hyperlipidemic rat model. METHODS: Hyperlipidemic rat model was developed by feeding HLD to the experimental rats for eight weeks. Male albino rats weighing around 200–210 g were randomly divided into three equal groups: group I: control, received a normal diet; group II: received HLD for eight weeks, and group III: received the HLD with CO orally. After 60 days of treatment, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-10; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-18, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell apoptosis were serially assessed. RESULTS: After eight weeks of CO treatment, TNF- α, IL-18, CRP, and oxidative ROS generation significantly decreased in CO treated group (group III) compared to group II. On the other hand, IL-10 levels significantly increased in CO treated group compared to group II animals. It was also observed that the percentage of the late apoptotic cell reduced considerably in the CO treated group (group III) compared to HLD-fed animals (group II). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the CO could prevent CVDs via suppressing oxidative stress, and ameliorating inflammation and apoptosis in hyperlipidemic rats.

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of sesamin: mechanisms of action and future directions

Inflammation is associated with the development and progression of various disorders including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and cancer. Sesamin, a fat-soluble lignan derived from Sesamum indicum seeds and oil, has received increased attention due to its wide array of pharmacological properties including its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential. To date, no review has been conducted to summarize or analyze the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory roles of sesamin. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of experimental findings that were reported with regards to the ability of sesamin to modulate inflammation, cellular and humoral adaptive immune responses and Th1/Th2 paradigm. The potential influence of sesamin on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against cancer cells is also highlighted. The molecular mechanisms and the signal transduction pathways underlying such effects are underscored. The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, absorption, tissue distribution and bioavailability of sesamin in different species, including humans, are reviewed. Moreover, we propose future preclinical and clinical investigations to further validate the potential preventive and/or therapeutic efficacy of sesamin against various immune-related and inflammatory conditions. We anticipate that sesamin may be employed in future therapeutic regimens to enhance the efficacy of treatment and dampen the adverse effects of synthetic chemical drugs currently used to alleviate immune-related and inflammatory conditions.

Role of Uremic Toxins in Early Vascular Ageing and Calcification

In patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), the accumulation of uremic toxins, caused by a combination of decreased excretion secondary to reduced kidney function and increased generation secondary to aberrant expression of metabolite genes, interferes with different biological functions of cells and organs, contributing to a state of chronic inflammation and other adverse biologic effects that may cause tissue damage. Several uremic toxins have been implicated in severe vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) changes and other alterations leading to vascular calcification (VC) and early vascular ageing (EVA). The above mentioned are predominant clinical features of patients with CKD, contributing to their exceptionally high cardiovascular mortality. Herein, we present an update on pathophysiological processes and mediators underlying VC and EVA induced by uremic toxins. Moreover, we discuss their clinical impact, and possible therapeutic targets aiming at preventing or ameliorating the harmful effects of uremic toxins on the vasculature.