Evaluation of Antioxidative Effects of Sesamin on the In vivo Hepatic Reducing Abilities by a Radiofrequency ESR Method

Abstract

Antioxidative effects of sesamin (a mixture of sesamin and episesamin) were evaluated in the liver, kidney and inferior vena cava of living rats using a radiofrequency ESR method. TEMPOL, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl, was used as an in vivo redox probe, the half-life of which is believed to be correlated with the antioxidant status. The oral administration of sesamin (250 mg/kg rat weight) 3 h before ESR measurements shortened the half-life of TEMPOL in the liver by 10 -15% as compared with the controls, but did not affect the other organs. This effect was maintained for at least 3 h after the administration, and then disappeared at 24 h, corresponding to the results of our preliminary pharmacokinetic studies. Changes in the reducing ability were observed only in the hepatic sites of the sesamin-treated rats. These findings suggest that sesamin exhibits effective antioxidant activity in the liver via modulation of the intracellular redox status related to TEMPOL reduction.

Essences in Metabolic Engineering of Lignan Biosynthesis

“…Sesamin and its metabolites exhibited anti-hypertensive activities [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The anti-oxidative propensity of sesamin is also likely to be involved in protecting the liver from oxidation by alcohols, lipids, and oxygen radicals [ 39 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In human intestinal Caco 2 cells, pinoresinol decreased the production of inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2, following the down-regulation of Cox-2, an inducible prostaglandin synthase that is responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandin H, a precursor of any other prostaglandins [ 30 ].…”

Furofuran lignans of Artemisia genus: Isolation, biosynthesis and biological activity

“…166 The antioxidative propensity of sesamin (6) is likely to be involved in protecting the liver from oxidation by alcohols, lipids and oxygen radicals. 84,[167][168][169] Sesamin (6) and its metabolites exhibited antihypertensive activities. 76,[170][171][172] Sesamin (6) is also an insecticide.…”

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of [14C]sesamin in rats

“…Sesamin, (7α,7’α,8α,8’α)‐3,4:3’,4’‐bis(methylenedioxy)‐7,9’:7’,9‐diepoxylignane, is one of the sesame lignans, and it comprises approximately 1% of sesame seeds. Various physiological effects of sesamin have been known, such as antioxidative activity , a preventive effect against impairment of mitochondrial function , a reducing effect on serum cholesterol, lipid levels, and blood pressure , a protective effect against alcohol‐induced liver injury , an antiallergic effect , and a synergetic suppression of lipid‐peroxide production with α‐tocopherol .…”