Therapeutic sesamol attenuates monocrotaline-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in rats by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9

Anxiolytic Effect of Sesamol, Possibly Through the GABAkine Interaction Pathway

Plant-based components have helped generate novel lead molecules and scaffolds for anxiety research in psychopharmacology. The present study examined the anxiolytic properties of sesamol (SES), a phenolic lignan derived from Sesamum indicum, employing both in vivo and computational methods to understand its mechanisms of action. In this experiment, adult Swiss albino mice received various doses of SES (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) orally. Afterward, a series of behavioral assessments, including open field, swing, hole cross, and light-dark testing, were conducted. The impact of the GABAergic agonist diazepam (DZP-1 mg/kg, i.p.) along with the antagonist flumazenil (FLU-0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) has been studied as provided concurrently with the SES-50 group. Computational studies were performed to comprehend the interaction between SES and GABAA receptor subunits (α2 and α3). The results of our investigation revealed that SES dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of square crosses, hole crosses, swings, grooming, and rearing along with a reduction of light residence time in animals. When combined with DZP, SES-50 significantly reduced all these parameters, while altering with FLU-0.1. The molecular docking analysis showed that the SES has a relatively good binding score (-5.03 ± 0.15 and -5.25 ± 0.23 kcal/mol) with GABAA receptor α2 and α3 subunits, respectively. The SES triggers anxiolytic effects via GABAA receptor α2 and α3 subunit interactions. Furthermore, precise and comprehensive preclinical research must be considered to validate potential SES targets for anxiolytic impact, clinical trial efficacy, and safety.

Diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification for hepatotoxicity induced by pyrrolizidine alkaloids from herbal medicines or other plants

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are one type of phytotoxins distributed in various plants, including many medicinal herbs. Many organs might suffer injuries from the intake of PAs, and the liver is the most susceptible one. The diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification of PAs-induced hepatotoxicity have been studied for several decades, which is of great significance for its prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. When the liver was exposed to PAs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) loss, hemorrhage, liver parenchymal cells death, nodular regeneration, Kupffer cells activation, and fibrogenesis occurred. These pathological changes classified the PAs-induced liver injury as acute, sub-acute, and chronic type. PAs metabolic activation, mitochondria injury, glutathione (GSH) depletion, inflammation, and LSECs damage-induced activation of the coagulation system were well recognized to play critical roles in the pathological process of PAs-induced hepatotoxicity. A lot of natural compounds like glycyrrhizic acid, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin, baicalein, chlorogenic acid, and so on were demonstrated to be effective in alleviating PAs-induced liver injury, which rendered them huge potential to be developed into therapeutic drugs for PAs poisoning in clinics. This review presents updated information about the diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification studies on PAs-induced hepatotoxicity.

Sesamol attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis in experimental animals

Sesamol, a lignan obtained from roasted seeds of Sesamum indicum, has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we have investigated the effect of sesamol on Bleomycin (BLM) induced pulmonary toxicity as well as fibrosis in Wistar rats. Lung toxicity was induced by administration of BLM, 0.015 U/g ip, twice weekly for 28 days whereas lung fibrosis was induced by BLM, 0.015 U/g ip, every 5th day for 49 days. Sesamol administration was started 7 days before first dose of BLM in both the models. It was observed that sesamol 50 mg/kg most effectively attenuated pulmonary toxicity by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. This dose was further evaluated for its anti-fibrotic effect. It was observed that there was a significant reduction in fibrosis. Lung collagen content was markedly reduced. Furthermore, expression of pro-fibrotic proteins, TGF-β/SMAD and α-SMA, was reduced and that of anti-fibrotic protein, AMPK, was markedly increased. Even though the combination of sesamol with pirfenidone exhibited no additional protection than either drug alone, it is evident from our study that our test drug, sesamol is comparable in efficacy to pirfenidone. Thus, sesamol has promising therapeutic potential in treatment of pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis.

Formulation Strategies for Enhancing Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Potential of Sesamol: A Natural Phenolic Bioactive

Natural plants and their products continue to be the major source of phytoconstituents in food and therapeutics. Scientific studies have evidenced the benefits of sesame oil and its bioactives in various health conditions. Various bioactives present in it include sesamin, sasamolin, sesaminol, and sesamol; among these, sesamol represents a major constituent. This bioactive is responsible for preventing various diseases including cancer, hepatic disorders, cardiac ailments, and neurological diseases. In the last decade, the application of sesamol in the management of various disorders has attracted the increasing interest of the research community. Owing to its prominent pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antineoplastic, and antimicrobial, sesamol has been explored for the above-mentioned disorders. However, despite the above-mentioned therapeutic potential, its clinical utility is mainly hindered owing to low solubility, stability, bioavailability, and rapid clearance issues. In this regard, numerous strategies have been explored to surpass these restrictions with the formulation of novel carrier platforms. This review aims to describe the various reports and summarize the different pharmacological activities of sesamol. Furthermore, one part of this review is devoted to formulating strategies to improve sesamol's challenges. To resolve the issues such as the stability, low bioavailability, and high systemic clearance of sesamol, novel carrier systems have been developed to open a new avenue to utilize this bioactive as an efficient first-line treatment for various diseases.

A TMT-based shotgun proteomics uncovers overexpression of thrombospondin 1 as a contributor in pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction disease (HSOS) is a rare but life-threatening vascular liver disease. However, its underlying mechanism and molecular changes in HSOS are largely unknown, thus greatly hindering the development of its effective treatment. Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs) are the primary and essential target for HSOS. A tandem mass tag-based shotgun proteomics study was performed using primary cultured HSECs from mice with HSOS induced by senecionine, a representative toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA). Dynamic changes in proteome were found at the initial period of damage and the essential role of thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) was highlighted in PA-induced HSOS. TSP1 over-expression was further confirmed in human HSECs and liver samples from patients with PA-induced HSOS. LSKL peptide, a known TSP1 inhibitor, protected mice from senecionine-induced HSOS. In addition, TSP1 was found to be covalently modified by dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids in human HSECs and mouse livers upon senecionine treatment, thus to form the pyrrole-protein adduct. These findings provide useful information on early changes in HSECs upon PA treatment and uncover TSP1 overexpression as a contributor in PA-induced HSOS.

Liver Inflammatory Injury Initiated by DAMPs-TLR4-MyD88/TRIF-NFκB Signaling Pathway Is Involved in Monocrotaline-Induced HSOS

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) causes considerable morbidity and mortality in clinic. Up to now, the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of HSOS still remain unclear. Here, we report that hepatic inflammation initiated by damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) plays a critical role in the development of HSOS. Monocrotaline (MCT) belongs to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Monocrotaline-induced HSOS in mice and rats was evidenced by the increased serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) activities, the elevated hepatic metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression, and results from liver histological evaluation and scanning electron microscope observation. However, MCT-induced HSOS was markedly attenuated in myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) and toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) knock-out mice. Monocrotaline increased liver myeloperoxidase activity, serum contents of proinflammatory cytokines, hepatic aggregation of immune cells, and nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor κB (NFκB). However, these inflammatory responses induced by MCT were all diminished in MyD88, TRIF, and TLR4 knock-out mice. Monocrotaline elevated serum contents of DAMPs including high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) both in mice and in rats. HSOS was markedly exacerbated and serum contents of HMGB1 and HSP60 were elevated in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) knock-out mice treated with MCT. Our findings indicate that hepatic inflammatory injury mediated by DAMPs-initiated TLR4-MyD88/TRIF-NFκB inflammatory signal pathway plays an important role in HSOS development.

A Critical Analysis of Experimental Animal Models of Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome

Given the high mortality rate and clinical impact associated with sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), many studies have attempted to better characterize the disease and potential treatment strategies. However, the unpredictability of SOS onset represents a major obstacle when developing reproducible and controlled clinical trials in humans. Similarly, although in vitro studies have elucidated many of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of SOS, they often lack clinical relevance and translatability, highlighting the importance of experimental in vivo research. Animal models have greatly varied in the approach used to induce SOS in accordance with the numerous causes of human disease. Thus far, the most common and prevalent model is the monocrotaline-induced model in rats, which has served as the basis for both new diagnostic and treatment studies and has been revised over the last 20 years to optimize its use. Furthermore, radiotherapy, oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, and even hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been recently used to better replicate human SOS in animals. Nevertheless, because of the novelty of such research, further studies should be conducted to better understand the reproducibility and applicability of these newer models. Thus, this review seeks to summarize the methods and results of experimental in vivo models of SOS and compare the efficacy of these various adaptations.

Sesame seeds essential oil and Sesamol modulate the pro-inflammatory function of macrophages and dendritic cells and promote Th2 response

Background: Herbal medicine is becoming progressively accepted treatment for management of different diseases worldwide. Recognition of the active ingredients and mechanisms of herbal medicine against the immune system and related anomalies is highly favorable. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) essential oil and sesamol as effective components on mouse splenocytes subsets, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Methods: Effective components of sesame were extracted and used to treat splenocytes, PHA (5μg/ml) and LPS (10 μg/ml) stimulated splenocytes, macrophages and DCs in different concentration (0.01-100 μg/ml). The cell proliferation/viability was measured using the MTT assay and nitrite levels were measured by the diazotization method. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines concentration were assayed by ELISA. Treated DCs also analysed for maturation marker levels and cytokine production. Results: Analysis of the results indicated that sesame components suppress PHA-stimulated splenocytes with no effect on LPS-stimulated subsets. Furthermore, the sesame ingredients reduced the release of IFN-γ and increased secretion of IL-4 from lymphocytes. Macrophages viability was not affected and production of NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β were inhibited using sesame essential oil and sesamol. DCs phenotype skewed to immature and release of TNF-α and IL-1β were abrogated form DCs. Conclusion: These results indicate that sesame essential oil and its effective component as sesamol may capable of suppressing the response of cellular immunity with the domination of Th2 responses and also could modulate macrophages and the dendritic cells proinflammatory functions.

Phosphodiesterase III inhibitor attenuates rat sinusoidal obstruction syndrome through inhibition of platelet aggregation in Disse's space

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a serious drug-induced liver injury. However, the pathophysiology of the disease remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of cilostazol (CZ), a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, in a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced rat model of SOS.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were administrated MCT to induce SOS. Rats were divided into control, MCT, and MCT + CZ groups. In the MCT + CZ group, CZ was administered at 48 h, 24 h, and 30 min prior to and 8 h and 24 h after MCT administration. The MCT group was treated with water instead of CZ. At 48 h after MCT administration, blood and liver samples were collected to assess biochemistry and liver histology. Expression of rat endothelial cell antigen, CD34, CD41, P-selectin, and caspase-3 in the liver were analyzed. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in hepatocytes was analyzed using western blotting and polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

In the MCT group, macroscopic findings showed a dark-red liver surface. Histological findings showed sinusoidal dilatation, coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes, and endothelial damage of the central vein. These changes were attenuated in the MCT + CZ group. Elevated serum transaminase and decreased platelet counts were observed in the MCT + CZ group compared with those in the MCT group. Treatment with CZ reduced MCT-induced damage to the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, inhibited extravasated platelet aggregation, and suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis around the central vein. CZ attenuated hepatic PAI-1 protein and mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Cilostazol attenuated MCT-induced SOS by preventing damage to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and extravasated platelet aggregation. Hepatic PAI-1 levels were suppressed with CZ treatment.

Chlorogenic acid suppresses monocrotaline-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome: The potential contribution of NFκB, Egr1, Nrf2, MAPKs and PI3K signals

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a highly lethal liver disease. This study aims to observe the protection and its engaged mechanism of chlorogenic acid (CGA) against monocrotaline (MCT)-induced SOS. Results of detecting liver ascites, measuring serum transaminases, liver histological evaluation and scanning electron microscope observation all demonstrated that CGA prevented MCT-induced SOS in rats. CGA reduced MCT-induced increased liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)-1β mRNA expression, toll-like receptor (TLR)-2,3,6,9 expression, and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) transcriptional activation. CGA also decreased MCT-induced early growth response1 (Egr1) activation. CGA reduced MCT-induced elevated liver malondialdehyde (MDA) amount and enhanced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). CGA blocked MCT-induced PI3K and MAPKs activation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the protection of CGA against MCT-induced SOS. Transcriptional factor NFκB, Egr1 and Nrf2-regulated inflammation, coagulation-fibrinolysis, and antioxidant, and PI3K and MAPKs all contribute to such protection.

Hepatoprotective effects of sesamol loaded solid lipid nanoparticles in carbon tetrachloride induced sub-chronic hepatotoxicity in rats

Sesamol is a phenolic component of sesame seed oil, which has been established as an antioxidant and also possesses potential for hepatoprotection. However, its protective role in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) induced sub-chronic hepatotoxicity has not been studied. Limited oral bioavailability (BA) and rapid elimination (as conjugates) in rats is reported for sesamol. Considering its significant antioxidant potential and compromised BA, we packaged sesamol into solid lipid nanoparticles (S-SLNs) to enhance its hepatoprotective bioactivity. S-SLNs prepared by microemulsification method were nearly spherical in shape with an average particle size of 120.30 nm and their oral administration at 8 mg/kg body weight (BW) showed significantly (p < 0.001) better hepatoprotection than free sesamol (FS) and a well established hepatoprotective antioxidant silymarin [SILY (25 mg/kg BW); p < 0.05) in CCl4 induced sub-chronic liver injury in rats. Evaluations were done in terms of histological changes in the liver tissue, liver injury markers (serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, and serum lactate dehydrogenase); oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) and proinflammatory response marker (tumor necrosis factor-alpha).

Transcriptomic characterization of the dorsal lobes after hepatectomy of the ventral lobe in zebrafish

Background

The liver possesses an ability of compensatory growth after removing three of five lobes in mammals or one of three lobes in zebrafish. The reenter of hepatocytes into the cell cycle is one of the hallmarks for the initiation of liver compensatory growth, but cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the activation of hepatocytes remain largely unknown.

Results

To better understand the process, transcriptional profiles of the remaining liver dorsal lobes in female zebrafish were generated with RNA-seq. About 44 million raw reads were obtained from three sequencing libraries and 71 % of raw reads were mapped to the reference genome of zebrafish. A total number of 5652 genes were differentially expressed in at least one of two time points during the compensatory growth of liver dorsal lobes and classified into different functional categories. A number of genes encoding angiogenesis-related growth factors/ligands and apoptosis-associated cytokines were strongly expressed at 6-h time point after the removal of the ventral lobe. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of genes up-regulated during early stages of liver compensatory growth revealed that small GTPase-mediated signal transduction, RNA processing and intracellular protein transport were the most highly overrepresented biological processes and SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, proteasome and basal transcription factors were the most highly enriched pathways. Moreover, 477 genes differently expressed during liver compensatory growth of both female zebrafish and mice were involved in the response to stimulus, DNA replication, metabolic processes of fatty acid, lipid and steroid, multicellular organismal homeostasis and extracellular matrix constituent secretion.

Conclusions

Multiple biological processes and signaling pathways are immediately activated in remaining dorsal lobes of female zebrafish right after removal of the ventral lobe and these findings provide crucial clues for further identification of cis-elements and trans-factors that are extensively involved in the initiation of liver compensatory growth.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2145-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sleep deprivation-induced multi-organ injury: role of oxidative stress and inflammation

Sleep deprivation affects all aspects of health. Adverse health effects by sleep deviation are still underestimated and undervalued in clinical practice and, to a much greater extent in monitoring human health. We hypothesized that sleep deprivation-induced mild organ injuries; oxidative stress and inflammation might play a crucial role in inducing multi-organ injury. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 6-7) were sleep-deprived for 0-72 h using a modified multiple platform boxes method. Blood and tissue were collected. Liver, heart, kidney, lung, and pancreatic injuries were evaluated using biochemical and histological analyses. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), total billirubin (TBIL), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), creatine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CKMB), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were assayed in blood. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels were measured. Histology revealed mild-to-moderate liver and lung injury in sleep-deprived mice. Sleep-deprived mice had significantly higher GOT, GPT, TBIL, CPK, CKMB, LDH, BUN, and α-amylase (AMYL) levels, which indicated liver, heart, kidney, and pancreatic injuries. Serum IL-1β at 24 h and IL-6 at 72 h were significantly higher in sleep-deprived than in control mice. Hepatic TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher, but IL-6 significantly lower in mice that had been sleep-deprived for 72 h. Sleep deprivation-mediated inflammation may be associated with mild to moderate multi-organ damage in mice. The implication of this study indicates sleep deprivation in humans may induce multi-organ injury that negatively affects cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.

Sesamol loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: a promising intervention for control of carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity

Background

Sesamol, a component of sesame seed oil, exhibited significant antioxidant activity in a battery of in vitro and ex vivo tests including lipid peroxidation induced in rat liver homogenates. Latter established its potential for hepatoprotection. However, limited oral bioavailability, fast elimination (as conjugates) and tendency towards gastric irritation/toxicity (especially forestomach of rodents) may limit its usefulness. Presently, we packaged sesamol into solid lipid nanoparticles (S-SLNs) to enhance its biopharmaceutical performance and compared the efficacy with that of free sesamol and silymarin, a well established hepatoprotectant, against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in rats, post induction. A self recovery group in which no treatment was given was used to observe the self-healing capacity of liver.

Methods

S-SLNs prepared by microemulsification method were administered to rats post-treatment with CCl₄ (1 ml/kg body weight (BW) twice weekly for 2 weeks, followed by 1.5 ml/kg BW twice weekly for the subsequent 2 weeks). Liver damage and recovery on treatment was assessed in terms of histopathology, serum injury markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase), oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) and a pro-inflammatory response marker (tumor necrosis factor alpha).

Result

S-SLNs (120.30 nm) at a dose of 8 mg/kg BW showed significantly better hepatoprotection than corresponding dose of free sesamol (FS; p < 0.001). Effects achieved with S-SLNs were comparable with silymarin (SILY), administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg BW. Self recovery group confirmed absence of regenerative capacity of hepatic tissue, post injury.

Conclusion

Use of lipidic nanocarrier system for sesamol improved its efficiency to control hepatic injury. Enhanced effect is probably due to: a) improved oral bioavailability, b) controlled and prolonged effect of entrapped sesamol and iii) reduction in irritation and toxicity, if any, upon oral administration. S-SLNs may be considered as a therapeutic option for hepatic ailments as effectiveness post induction of liver injury, is demonstrated presently.

Matrix metalloproteinases in liver injury, repair and fibrosis

The liver is a large highly vascularized organ with a central function in metabolic homeostasis, detoxification, and immunity. Due to its roles, the liver is frequently exposed to various insults which can cause cell death and hepatic dysfunction. Alternatively, the liver has a remarkable ability to self-repair and regenerate after injury. Liver injury and regeneration have both been linked to complex extracellular matrix (ECM) related pathways. While normal degradation of ECM components is an important feature of tissue repair and remodeling, irregular ECM turnover contributes to a variety of liver diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main enzymes implicated in ECM degradation. MMPs not only remodel the ECM, but also regulate immune responses. In this review, we highlight some of the MMP-attributed roles in acute and chronic liver injury and emphasize the need for further experimentation to better understand their functions during hepatic physiological conditions and disease progression.

Evaluation and management of hepatic injury induced by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis

Patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) can be cured with surgical resection. Recent advances in systemic chemotherapy, including molecular target agents, can be used to introduce "conversion surgery" and achieve R0 resection even in patients with initially unresectable CRLM. Furthermore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy also tries to be applied in patients with resectable CRLM to maximize the remnant liver and reduce the residual micrometastasis before surgery. The development of chemotherapy-induced hepatic injuries is increasingly being recognized, including sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS), steatosis, steatohepatitis and biliary sclerosis. Especially, oxaliplatin (L-OHP)-based chemotherapy in clinical settings appears to be primarily associated with SOS. Various reports have tried to demonstrate the rationale of the correlation between L-OHP-based chemotherapy and SOS for the following hepatic surgery. While we can recognize that this pathophysiological disadvantage leads to hepatic dysfunction and the increasing postoperative morbidity, the essential part of this problem including clinical disadvantage, onset mechanism, evaluation systems, and targeted agents for prevention and treatment of SOS continue to be unclear. In this review, we summarize the current experience with hepatic injury induced by L-OHP-based chemotherapy, focusing on SOS-based on clinical and experimental data, in order to assist in the resolution of these identified factors. Finally, the need for reliable methods to identify the risk of SOS, to evaluate SOS status and to predict the safety of surgical treatment in patients with chemotherapy prior to surgery will be emphasized.

Sesame oil attenuates nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitis by modulating matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 and PPAR-γ

Sesame oil is a nutrient-rich antioxidant popular in alternative medicine. It contains sesamin, sesamol, and sesamolin, all of which contribute to its improved liver function in various animal model studies. However, its effect on nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitis is unclear. We investigated therapeutic sesame oil on matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 (MMP-2, 9) in nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitic mice. C57BL/6 J mice were fed with methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet for 35 days to induce fibrosing steatohepatitis. Sesame oil was treated from 29-35th day. Body weight, steatosis, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), MMP-2, 9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 were assessed after 35 days. All tested parameters except TIMP-1 and PPAR-γ were higher in MCD fed mice than in normal control mice. Mice fed with MCD diet for 4 weeks showed severe liver injury with steatosis, necrotic-inflammation, and fibrosis. In sesame-oil (4 ml)-treated mice, all tested parameters except TIMP-1, α-SMA, and PPAR-γ were significantly attenuated compared with MCD fed mice. Sesame oil inhibited MMP-2, 9 activities, but up-regulated TIMP-1 expression in MCD fed mice. In addition, a histological analysis of liver tissue samples showed that sesame oil provided significant protection against fibrosis. We conclude that therapeutic sesame oil protects against fibrosing steatohepatitis by inhibiting MMP-2, 9 activities, up-regulating TIMP-1 expression, and PPAR-γ.

Sesame oil mitigates nutritional steatohepatitis via attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation: a tale of two-hit hypothesis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the most common chronic liver disorder worldwide, comprises conditions from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NASH is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Sesame oil, a healthful food, increases resistance to oxidative stress, inflammation and protects against multiple organ injury in various animal models. We investigated the protective effect of sesame oil against nutritional steatohepatitis in mice. C57BL/6 J mice were fed with methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet for 28 days to induce NASH. Sesame oil (1 and 2 ml/kg) was treated from 22nd to 28th day. Body weight, steatosis, triglycerides, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, interlukin-6, interleukin-1β, leptin, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were assessed after 28 days. All tested parameters were higher in MCD-fed mice than in normal control mice. Mice fed with MCD diet for 4 weeks showed severe liver injury with steatosis, oxidative stress, and necrotic inflammation. In sesame-oil-treated mice, all tested parameters were significantly attenuated compared with MCD-alone mice. Sesame oil inhibited oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, leptin, and TGF-β1 in MCD-fed mice. In addition, histological analysis showed that sesame oil provided significant protection against fibrotic collagen. We conclude that sesame oil protects against steatohepatitic fibrosis by decreasing oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, leptin and TGF-β1.

Protective effect of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol (sesamol) on stress-related mucosal disease in rats

Stress-related mucosal disease (SRMD) causes considerable morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenol (sesamol) has been reported to have potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sesamol on water immersion restraint- (WIR-) induced SRMD in rats. Rat gastric ulcer and hemorrhage were induced by WIR. Rats were pretreated orally with various doses of sesamol (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg, resp.) 30 min before WIR. Gastric mucosal ulceration, hemoglobin, lipid peroxidation, mucus secretion, proinflammatory cytokines, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels were determined 4 h after WIR. In addition, the infiltration of neutrophil and macrophage into gastric mucosa was also determined after WIR. Water immersion restraint increased gastric mucosal ulcer and hemorrhage, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels but failed to affect mucosal lipid peroxidation and mucus secretion compared with non-WIR. Sesamol significantly decreased gastric ulceration and hemorrhage and inhibited mucosal TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production and NF-κB activity in WIR-treated rats. In addition, increased myeloperoxidase and CD68 levels in gastric mucosa were found in WIR-treated rats compared to non-WIR rats. Sesamol did not affect myeloperoxidase but decreased CD68 levels in mucosa in WIR-treated rats. Sesamol may protect against SRMD by inhibiting gastric mucosal proinflammatory cytokines in rats.

Beneficial effect of sesame oil on heavy metal toxicity

Heavy metals become toxic when they are not metabolized by the body and accumulate in the soft tissue. Chelation therapy is mainly for the management of heavy metal-induced toxicity; however, it usually causes adverse effects or completely blocks the vital function of the particular metal chelated. Much attention has been paid to the development of chelating agents from natural sources to counteract lead- and iron-induced hepatic and renal damage. Sesame oil (a natural edible oil) and sesamol (an active antioxidant) are potently beneficial for treating lead- and iron-induced hepatic and renal toxicity and have no adverse effects. Sesame oil and sesamol significantly inhibit iron-induced lipid peroxidation by inhibiting the xanthine oxidase, nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical generation. In addition, sesame oil is a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory mediators, and it attenuates lead-induced hepatic damage by inhibiting nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β levels. Because metal chelating therapy is associated with adverse effects, treating heavy metal toxicity in addition with sesame oil and sesamol may be better alternatives. This review deals with the possible use and beneficial effects of sesame oil and sesamol during heavy metal toxicity treatment.

Comparative potential therapeutic effect of sesame oil and peanut oil against acute monocrotaline (Crotalaria) poisoning in a rat model

BACKGROUND

Many Crotalaria plant species contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as monocrotaline) that can cause acute and chronic poisoning in cattle and other animals.

HYPOTHESIS

Peanut oil, atropine sulfate, and antidiarrheal agents are used to treat acute monocrotaline poisoning. The effect of sesame on acute monocrotaline poisoning has never been investigated.

ANIMALS

Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for toxicity studies.

METHODS

Experiment 1: Group I, control. Groups II-IV were given monocrotaline (205.2 mg/kg) and euthanized 6, 12, and 24 hours later. Experiment 2: Group I, control. Group II monocrotaline alone (205.2 mg/kg). Groups III-VI were given monocrotaline (205.2 mg/kg) and 1 hour later, Groups III and IV were given sesame oil (1 and 2 mL/kg) and Groups V and VI were given peanut oil (1 and 2 mL/kg).

RESULTS

Monocrotaline significantly decreased (P < .05) serum amylase activity, but, over time, increased (P < .05) pancreatic and lung injury. AST and ALT activity and liver injury peaked at 24 hours. Sesame oil and peanut oil (P < .05) inhibited the changes in all tested parameters in acute monocrotaline poisoning. Although peanut oil inhibited acute monocrotaline poisoning, it induced steatosis, but sesame oil did not.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

We hypothesize that early pancreatic and lung injury and late liver injury contribute to acute monocrotaline poisoning and that sesame oil is more efficacious than peanut oil against acute monocrotaline poisoning in rats. However, additional studies are needed to confirm that these oils have the same effects in cattle and other animals.