Lignan (sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin) profile was determined in different cultivars (botanically identified or market samples) of sesame seeds and commercial oils procured from different parts of India. The wide variation observed in total lignans from 21 sesame seed and 9 commercial oils was attributed to variations in sesamin and sesamolin contents. Lignan content was high (18 g sesamin/kg, 10 g sesamolin/kg) in sesame cultivars obtained from the northeastern states of India. In two of the commercial oils having the Agmark label, the total lignan content was ~12 g/kg (7.3 g sesamin, 4.7 g sesamolin), 50% of the maximum permissible levels of unsaponifiable matter. In both the seeds and commercial oils, γ-tocopherol was the only representative of tocopherol isomers identified. Sesamin and sesamolin were isolated and crystallized from high-lignan cultivars, and their purity was confirmed by HPLC and spectral (UV and fluorescence) analysis.The nonglyceride fraction of oilseeds contains a variety of biologically active components (1) including hydrocarbons, tocopherols, sterols, and triterpene alcohols. In addition, some oils have unique components: oryzanol and tocotrienols in rice bran oil, tocotrienols and carotenes in palm oil/red palm oil, and lignans (such as sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin) in sesame oil. The role of tocopherols and tocotrienols as antioxidants is well established (2). Studies in experimental animals (3-6) have shown hypocholesterolemic effects of sterols, triterpene alcohols, oryzanol, and tocotrienols.The high resistance of sesame oil to oxidative deterioration compared with other vegetable oils has been attributed to the presence of lignans. Sesame lignans also have antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, and immunomodulatory effects (7-9). Sesame oil has been widely used as a domestic Ayurvedic remedy in India (10). Although sesame seeds and oils are used extensively in India, the lignan profile in Indian sesame cultivars has not been reported before. The present study was done (i) to determine the lignan profile in Indian sesame cultivars and (ii) to isolate and crystallize sesamin and sesamolin from high-lignan oils for evaluation of their biological activities. MATERIALS AND METHODSMaterials. Sesamol and tocopherols (α, γ, δ) were purchased from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO). Methanol, acetonitrile, n-hexane, and dichloromethane (HPLC grade) were procured from Qualigens India Ltd. (Mumbai, India). All other chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade.Sesame seeds/oils. Sesame seeds (market samples or botanically identified samples) and commercial oils were procured from different states of India. Oil was extracted with ether from 5 g of seeds using a Soxhlet apparatus. To the oil obtained was added 0.5 g of sodium sulfate to remove moisture, and ether was removed by using a rotary evaporator.HPLC analysis of lignans and tocols. Lignan and tocol profiles in oils were determined by direct oil injections (1:100, wt/vol, oil/n-hexane for lignan profile; 1:20, wt/vol, oil/n-hexan...

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of human morbidity and mortality in the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression and are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of heart diseases, but the translocation phenomenon and the mode of action in mitochondria are largely unknown. Recent mitochondrial proteome analysis unveiled at least 2000 proteins, of which only 13 are made by the mitochondrial genome. There are numerous studies demonstrating the translocation of proteins into the mitochondria and also translocation of ribosomal RNA (viz., 5S rRNA) into mitochondria. Recent studies have suggested that miRNAs contain sequence elements that affect their subcellular localization, particularly nuclear localization. If there are sequence elements that direct miRNAs to the nucleus, it is also possible that similar sequence elements exist to direct miRNAs to the mitochondria. In this review we have summarized most of the miRNAs that have been shown to play an important role in mitochondrial function, either by regulating mitochondrial genes or by regulating nuclear genes that are known to influence mitochondrial function. While the focus of this review is cardiovascular diseases, we also illustrate the role of mitochondrial miRNA (MitomiR) in the initiation and progression of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Our goal here is to summarize the miRNAs that are localized to the mitochondrial fraction of cells, and how these miRNAs modulate cardiovascular health.

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Acute promyelocytic leukemia with concurrent myeloid sarcoma is a rare clinical event. Herein we describe a patient that presented with back pain and bilateral leg weakness caused by spinal cord compression due to extramedullary deposition of leukemic cells. Acute promyelocytic leukemia was suspected based on immunophenotypic findings of malignant cells in bone marrow aspirate. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of PML-RARα fusion copies. MRI showed multiple hyperintense changes on the vertebral bodies, together with intraspinal masses causing spinal cord compression. The patient immediately underwent radiotherapy, and was treated with all-trans retinoic acid and idarubicin. Reassessment MRI showed complete resolution of all intraspinal masses and the disappearance of most of the bony lesions. Post-treatment bone marrow aspirate showed complete hematological and molecular remission. The motor power of his legs fully recovered from 0/5 to 5/5; however, sensory loss below the T4 level persisted.

The high stability of sesame oil against oxidative deterioration is attributed to lignans in its non-glycerol fraction. The present study evaluates the effects of feeding sesame lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) on Fe 2þ -induced oxidative stress in rats. Three groups, each of sixteen male weanling WNIN rats, were fed diets containing 200 g casein/kg and 100 g oil/kg (group 1, groundnut oil; group 2, sesame oil; group 3, sesame oil þ sesamin (0·4 g/kg). After 45 d of feeding, eight rats from each group were injected with saline (9 g Na Cl/l, controls) intraperitoneally while the remaining eight rats were injected with 30 mg Fe 2þ /kg body weight as ferrous sulfate in normal saline. The animals were killed after 90 min to evaluate hepatic function and antioxidant status. Compared with those fed groundnut oil (group 1), sesame oil-fed rats (groups 2 and 3) had lower levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, serum glutamate:oxaloacetate transaminase activities and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities, indicating protection against Fe-induced oxidative stress. Despite similar tocopherol levels in the three diets, hepatic a-tocopherol levels were higher in rats fed the sesame-oil diets (groups 2 and 3) compared with controls (group 1). However, activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly (P, 0·05) increased only in rats fed higher levels of lignans (group 3). These observations suggest that sesame lignans may have sparing effects on tocopherols. The increased bioavailability of tocopherols in the presence of dietary lignans might be due to the regeneration of oxidized tocopherols. The synergistic effects of lignans with tocols has nutritional and therapeutic implications.Sesame lignans: Sesamin: Sesamolin: Iron-induced oxidative stress in vivo: Antioxidant effects

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