Sesamol: a Treatment for Diabetes-Associated Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

Abstract

Diabetes is a long-standing disease that leads to secondary complications of capillaries such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Emerging evidence suggests that diabetes may also affect the cerebromicrovasculature, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and lead to changes in the brain that affect cognition and mood. Therefore, it is important to identify natural compounds that may have therapeutic benefit for reducing BBB dysfunction and improve patient quality of life. Preclinical evidence suggests that sesamol, a natural antioxidant in sesame seed oil, could have therapeutic benefit for treating BBB dysfunction during diabetes. Similarly, paroxetine, which shares a methylenedioxy moiety with sesamol shows clinical benefit for treating neuropathic pain associated with diabetes. This review emphasizes BBB dysfunction as a treatable secondary complication associated with diabetes and examines the evidence for the use of natural compounds like sesamol or existing therapies like paroxetine to help restore BBB function.

Sesame Oil-Based Nanostructured Lipid Carriers of Nicergoline, Intranasal Delivery System for Brain Targeting of Synergistic Cerebrovascular Protection

“…Hence, preventing disruption of cerebrovascular endothelial cells and maintaining the BBB’s integrity, in addition to reversing the neuronal damage effects of ischemia and/or other oxidative stress injuries [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. VanGilder and Huber [ 45 ] reported that sesamol significantly retarded the BBB dysfunction progression and reversed the symptoms of mild cognitive disorders in diabetic patients. In another in vitro study on cultured astrocytes, sesamol significantly lowered cellular hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production to maintain the BBB’s integrity.…”

Sesamol induces cytotoxicity via mitochondrial apoptosis in SCC-25 cells

“…[15][16][17] In experimental studies, sesamol is shown to have promising beneficial effects against hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, heart diseases, diabetes, and neurotoxicity. [18][19][20][21][22] In vitro studies, cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing potentials of sesamol have been reported previously against lung adenocarcinoma, human colon cancer cells, human platelets, human hepatoma cells. [23][24][25][26] In vivo, sesamol administration was shown to act as a chemosensitizer by activating death receptors in cancer models.…”

Sesamol Antagonizes Rotenone-Induced Cell Death in Sh-Sy5y Neuronal Cells

“…In the neurotoxic model 6-OHDA of PD, Khadira Sereen et al reported SES as an anti-Parkinson compound [31]. Van Gilder and Huber reported that SES can treat neuropathic pain and restore the blood-brain barrier function [32].…”