Sesamin modulation of lipid class and fatty acid profile in early juvenile teleost, Lates calcarifer, fed different dietary oils

Sesamin, a major sesame seed lignan, has diverse biological functions including the modulation of molecular actions in lipid metabolic pathways and reducing cholesterol levels. Vertebrates have different capacities to biosynthesize long-chain PUFA from dietary precursors and sesamin can enhance the biosynthesis of ALA to EPA and DHA in marine teleost. Early juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer, were fed for two weeks on diets rich in ALA or SDA derived from linseed or Echium plantagineum, respectively. Both diets contained phytosterols and less cholesterol compared with a standard fish oil-based diet. The growth rates were reduced in the animals receiving sesamin regardless of the dietary oil. However, the relative levels of n-3 LC-PUFA in total lipid, but not the phospholipid, increased in the whole body by up to 25% in animals fed on sesamin with ALA or SDA. Sesamin reduced the relative levels of triacylglycerols and increased polar lipid, and did not affect the relative composition of phospholipid subclasses or sterols. Sesamin is a potent modulator for LC-PUFA biosynthesis in animals, but probably will have more effective impact at advanced ages. By modulating certain lipid metabolic pathways, sesamin has probably disrupted the body growth and development of organs and tissues in early juvenile barramundi.     

Extraction of sesamin from sesame oil using macroporous resin

Sesamin is drawing research attention, due to its effects on the various body regulators. Currently there are two methods employed to separate sesamin: solvent extraction and steam stripping, but both methods have disadvantages in large-scale manufacturing systems. An innovative method for sesamin extraction from sesame oil has been unveiled in this paper, which employs macroporous resin as an adsorbing surface. The final product, sesamin crystal, has been obtained by crystallization of the desorption product. The concentration of sesamin in the desorption product was 9.7%, nearly 20-fold greater than in the starting sesame oil. After further refining, the concentration of sesamin in the final crystalline product reaches 76%. The procedure described in this paper demonstrates that a high concentration of sesamin can be obtained by employing resin adsorption.     

紫外光谱法测定芝麻素与芝麻林素含量

本实验采用紫外分光光度法测定芝麻油中木酚素类物质芝麻素与芝麻林素的含量.根据木酚素类化合物在200～400nm紫外区有特征吸收,利用其吸收的强弱,以芝麻油中含量最高的芝麻素为对照品,通过标准曲线的绘制和假设检验,得到芝麻素的浓度与吸光度之间的显著的线性关系,由回归方程计算芝麻素的最低检测极限为1.95μg/mL,平均加样回收率为99.31%,RSD为1.87%;在提取后的40分钟内进行稳定性试验,RSD（%）为0.3%.重现性试验结果RSD为2.85%,精密度试验结果RSD为0.22%.     

Variation of sesamin,sesamolin and tocopherols in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds and oil products in Thailand

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed and oil contain abundant lignans, including sesamin, sesamolin and lignan glycosides. The aim of the present study was to determine sesamin, sesamolin and tocopherol contents in sesame seed and oil available in Thailand. The results showed that there was a large variation of sesamin and sesamolin contents in products. The distribution plot of sesamin and sesamolin contents in seeds showed that the mean values of sesamin and sesamolin were 1.55 mg/g (SD = 1.63; range n.d.–7.23 mg/g) and 0.62 mg/g (SD = 0.48; range n.d.–2.25 mg/g), respectively. The range of total tocopherols of these sesame lines was 50.9–211 μg/g seed. In commercial sesame oils, the ranges of sesamin and sesamolin were 0.93–2.89 mg/g oil and 0.30–0.74 mg/g oil, respectively, and tocopherol contents were 304–647 μg/g oil. The study reveals the extensive variability in sesamin, sesamolin and tocopherol contents among sesame products.     

Using Turmeric Oil as a Solvent Improves the Distribution of Sesamin-Sesamolin in the Serum and Brain of Mice

Accumulation of amyloid-β peptide is associated with Alzheimer's dementia. Previously, we reported that sesamin and sesamolin inhibited β-secretase activity in vitro, and each was transported to the serum and brain in mice after oral administration. However, the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin was poor in mice. In this study, we aimed to improve the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin. We found that the levels of sesamin and sesamolin in mouse serum and brain were higher after the administration of a mixture of sesame extract and turmeric oil (MST) than those after administering sesame extract alone. Serum sesamin and sesamolin contents in the MST-treated group were 23-fold and 15-fold higher, respectively, than those in the sesame extract-treated group. Brain sesamin and sesamolin contents in the MST-treated group were 14-fold and 11-fold higher, respectively, than those in the sesame extract-treated group. These results suggest that turmeric oil is an effective solvent to enhance the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin.     

芝麻核心种质芝麻素和芝麻酚林的关联分析

选用来源我国黄河流域至长江流域8省215份芝麻核心种质材料,对其种子中芝麻素（sesamin）和芝麻酚林（sesamolin）含量进行测定,芝麻素平均值5．24mg／g,变异范围为0．88～11．05mg／g,变异系数38．56％,芝麻酚林平均值3．30mg／g,变异范围为0．93—6．96mg／g,变异系数22．68％,二者均符合正态分布,且相关分析表明两者间呈极显著正相关;采用标记一性状关联分析法,进行芝麻素和芝麻酚林与SSR、SRAP、AFLP标记的关联分析。利用GLM模型共检测到33个标记与芝麻素和芝麻酚林极显著（P〈0．01）关联,同时与两种成分显著关联的有4个;利用MLM模型共检测到8个显著关联的标记,与两种成分显著关联的分别有4个;其中SSR标记SSll82-3在两种模型中同时极显著关联到芝麻素和芝麻酚林,且解释率较高。该研究将为芝麻功能性成分遗传改良和分子标记研究奠定重要基础。     

芝麻素对肾性高血压伴高血脂大鼠主动脉舒张功能的影响

目的: 探讨芝麻素(Sesamin,Ses)改善肾性高血压伴高血脂大鼠(Rrenal hypertensive-hyperlipidemia rat,RHHR)主动脉舒张功能损伤的作用机制。方法: RHHR灌服不同剂量Ses(100、33、10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)8周后,测定主动脉环对乙酰胆碱(Acetylcholine,ACh)和硝普钠(Sodium nitroprusside,SNP)的舒张反应;测定一氧化氮合酶抑制剂左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯(N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester,L-NAME)孵育后,动脉环对ACh的反应并计算一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)活性。结果: 与假手术组相比,RHHR主动脉Ach和SNP诱导的舒张反应显著降低,NO活性减少,Ses治疗8周后能逆转上述作用。结论: Ses降压作用与改善RHHR主动脉内皮依赖性和非内皮依赖性舒张功能损伤有关。     

A new mammalian lignan precursor,asarinin

Enterolactone (ENL) and enterodiol are mammalian lignans. Several plant lignans have been reported as precursors of mammalian lignans. However, asarinin (AS), a furofuran type lignan which occurs in medicinal plants and foods, has not been reported as mammalian lignan precursor to date. After the incubation of AS with human intestinal microflora, AS was converted to not only ENL, but also two more metabolites (mono-demethylenated and ring-cleaved compounds). Under the same conditions, sesamin (SM) was converted to ENL. Furthermore, chiral HPLC analysis showed that ENL produced from AS and SM was (−)-ENL. This is the first report which shows that AS is a mammalian lignan precursor.     

Variation of Oil,Sesamin, and Sesamolin Content in the Germplasm of the Ancient Oilseed Crop Sesamum indicum L.

Currently, genetic improvement in oil and lignan content is a major objective in sesame breeding. As a prerequisite to meet the objective, the diversity of these traits of sesame germplasm was examined. Solvent extraction of the harvested seeds demonstrated variation in oil content ranging from 39% to 49% across the sesame accessions tested. High performance liquid chromatography of oil samples showed sesamin and sesamolin as the only lignans present in the oil, with their amount in the range of 2.74–10.55 g L⁻¹ and 2.49–13.78 g L⁻¹, respectively. Coefficient of variation for oil content remained the highest in brown and black seeded accessions, whereas it remained at maximum for sesamin and sesamolin in white seeded ones. Pearson analysis showed a positive correlation between oil and lignan content. It was concluded that Indian sesame accessions exhibit considerable variation in oil and lignans content. The S. indicum varieties with a desirable composition of oil and/or lignans have been identified and recommended for incorporation in breeding programs, as well as for specific human use.     

The contents of lignans in commercial sesame oils of Taiwan and their changes during heating

Sesame lignans have multiple functions and were recently reported to have potential as sources of phytoestrogens. Sesame oils used in Taiwan are expelled from roasted sesame seeds with dark colour and strong flavour. This study analyzed lignan contents of 14 brands of sesame oils, and found their mean of total lignans to be 11.5 mg/g; 82% and 15% of the lignans were sesamin, and sesamolin, respectively. Sesamol contents were relatively higher in those with darker colour. In use as a cooking oil, heating at 180 °C for 4 min did not change the content of lignans, but the level of sesamol increased after heating at 180 °C for 20 min. Heating at 200 °C for 20 min caused a significant loss of sesamolin and sesamol. From our calculation, ingestion of 10 g of sesame oil is adequate to provide the level of lignans that might benefit cardiovascular health, as found by other studies. Cooking at temperatures above 200 °C will cause loss of some lignans, but sesamin, a source of phytoestrogen, is relatively heat-stable.