A comprehensive review on the anti-cancer properties and mechanisms of action of sesamin, a lignan in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum)

Acid-catalyzed conversion of sesamolin to sesamol: Kinetics and reaction mechanism based on density functional theory

Sesamol is a significant lignan in sesame oil, which can be converted from sesamolin under acid-catalyzed conditions. The effects of several factors on the conversion of sesamolin to sesamol under acid-catalyzed conditions were investigated. The conversion kinetics were studied and the relevant conversion mechanism was revealed by density functional theory (DFT). The results indicated that catalyst dosage and substrate concentration had significant effects on the yield of sesamol. The conversion of sesamolin conformed to the characteristics of a first-order kinetics reaction within the range of 50-70 °C. The activation energy of the reaction was 35.78 ± 1.21 kJ/mol. The energy barrier to be crossed for the formation of intermediates in generating sesamol was 237.83 kJ/mol; the energy barrier to be overcome for the formation of intermediates in generating sesaminol was 266.95 kJ/mol. This study provides information relevant to increasing the percentage of sesamol in processed sesame oil.

Sesamin Exerts Anti-Tumor Activity in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Through Inducing Autophagy and Reactive Oxygen Species Production

BACKGROUND

Sesamin can suppress many cancers, but its effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unclear. Herein, we set out to pinpoint the possible changes in NPC due to Sesamin.

METHODS

The biological function of NPC cells exposed to Sesamin/N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)/3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was detected, followed by evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (flow cytometry). Proteins pertinent to apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1)), cell cycle (Cyclin B1), and autophagy (microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-I, LC3-II, Beclin-1, P62) were quantified by Western blot. After the xenografted tumor model in mice was established, the tumor volume and weight were recorded, and Ki-67 and cleaved caspase-3 levels were determined by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Sesamin inhibited viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression and migration, induced apoptosis, increased ROS production, and decreased MMP in NPC cells. Sesamin elevated cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3, cleaved PARP1/PARP1, and Beclin-1 expressions as well as LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, while diminishing Cyclin B1 and P62 levels. NAC and 3-MA abrogated Sesamin-induced changes as above in NPC cells. Sesamin inhibited the increase of the xenografted tumor volume and weight, down-regulated Ki-67, and up-regulated cleaved caspase-3 in xenografted tumors.

CONCLUSION

Sesamin exerts anti-tumor activity in NPC, as demonstrated by attenuated tumor proliferation and xenografted tumor volume and weight, as well as induced apoptosis in tumor tissues, consequent upon the promotion of autophagy and reactive oxygen species production.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Polyphenols in Esophageal Cancer

OPINION STATEMENT

Esophageal cancer (EC), one highly malignant upper gastrointestinal cancer, is the eighth most commonly occurring cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Clinically, this malignancy is considered to be one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers, owing to its resistance to common therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and few targeted therapies are available. There is currently an unmet need for treatment of EC. Polyphenols are naturally occurring plant secondary metabolites in response to environmental threats and injury. Epidemiological evidence suggests that long-term consumption of a polyphenol-rich diet is inversely associated with the risk of cancer. Currently, natural polyphenols have received increased attention for their potential therapeutic effects on EC. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent progress in the therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols in EC, as well as their sources, oral bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics. We review natural polyphenols combined with approved chemotherapy and radiotherapy to overcome challenges faced by either monotherapy. We also discuss the current challenges and future directions to accelerate the clinical application of natural polyphenols in EC. We concluded that natural polyphenols represent promising candidates for the management of EC. Well-designed randomized controlled studies are warranted to verify the efficacy and safety of natural polyphenols for EC. Knowledge gained from this review will outline possible future research directions and should help to develop new therapeutics for this disease.

Sesamin induces cell cycle arrest and upregulation of NKG2D ligands in MG‑63 cells and increases susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity

Osteosarcoma is a common solid malignancy in children and adolescents. Despite a success of standard therapeutic approaches, an effective therapeutic strategy is in a great need for improved outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticancer effect of sesamin and its influence on NKG2D ligand expression in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells and to compare the differences in NK cell elimination efficiency before and after treatment. Cell viability of MG-63 cells treated with serial concentrations of sesamin (0-100 µM) was measured using MTT. Induction of cell cycle arrest was determined with flow cytometry. Flow cytometry and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were employed to detect the changes of protein and mRNA level of NKG2D ligands before and after treatment with sesamin. NK cell elimination assay was performed to determine the changes in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against MG-63 cells treated with sesamin. Sesamin induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in MG-63 cells with increased p21 expression. Expression of MICA, MICB and ULBP1 at the protein and mRNA level were significantly increased (P<0.05). MG-63 cells treated with sesamin were more susceptible to NK cell-mediated elimination (P<0.05). Enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity was correlated with expression of NKG2D ligands (P<0.05). In conclusion, sesamin can induce cell cycle arrest and upregulate the expression of NKG2D ligands in MG-63 cells, thereby enhancing NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against osteosarcoma cells.

Evaluation of the Antinociceptive Effect of Sesamin: Role of 5HT1A Serotonergic Receptors

Background/Objectives: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is used in folk medicine to treat painful disorders. Sesamin is the main lignan found in this plant; however, its antinociceptive potential has scarcely been studied. The aim was to investigate the antinociceptive effect of sesamin on inflammatory and neuropathic pain models, as well as the possible mechanism of action through which sesamin mediates its own antinociceptive effect. Methods: Formalin and carrageenan animal models were used to assess inflammatory pain, whereas an L5/L6-spinal-nerve-ligated rat model was employed to evaluate neuropathic pain. Results: Oral sesamin significantly reduced carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia and inflammation, formalin-induced nociception, and L5/L6-spinal-nerve-ligation-induced allodynia. Sesamin was more effective than diclofenac in the inflammatory pain models, but it was less effective than pregabalin in the neuropathic pain model. The antinociceptive effect of sesamin, in the formalin test, was prevented by the intraperitoneal administration of methiothepin (5-HT1/5 antagonist), but not by naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) or L-NAME (an NOS inhibitor). In addition, WAY-100635 (5-HT1A antagonist), but not SB-224289 (5-HT1B antagonist), BRL-15542 (5-HT1D antagonist), and SB-699551 (5-HT5A antagonist), impeded sesamin-induced antinociception. Conclusions: This study's results support the use of sesamin to treat inflammatory pain disorders and suggest that 5-HT1A receptors influence the antinociceptive effect of this drug.

Sesamin targets ClpP which attenuates virulence of S. aureus and protects mice from fatal pneumonia induced by MRSA

AIMS

The aim of this study was to identify sesamin as a Casein hydrolase P (ClpP) inhibitor and to determine whether it could attenuate the virulence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Through fluorescence resonance energy transfer screening, a natural compound sesamin demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on ClpP enzyme activity with an IC50 of 20.62 μg/ml. Sesamin suppressed the expression of virulence factors of MRSA such as α-hemolysin (Hla) and Panton-Valentine leucocidin by protein immunoblotting. Thermal shift assay and cellular thermal shift assay showed that sesamin could bind to ClpP and enhance the thermal stability of ClpP. Furthermore, the binding affinity between sesamin and ClpP was determined by surface plasmon resonance with a KD value of 7.18 × 10-6 M. Molecular docking, dynamics simulations and point mutation analysis confirmed the stability of the sesamin-ClpP complex with a -10.184 kcal/mol total binding energy and identified PHE-174 in ClpP as a key binding site. In mice pneumonia model, sesamin combined vancomycin treatment markedly reduced the pathogenicity of MRSA-infected mice, offering protection against fatal lung infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these findings validate sesamin as a promising compound that targets ClpP, reducing virulence factor expression, that holds potential as a hit compound against MRSA infections.

Lignan Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Eight Sesame Varieties Cultivated in Korea

The objective of this study was to examine the lignan content and antioxidant activity of eight Korean sesame seed varieties. We analyzed the lignan content using two different techniques: (1) liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and (2) high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection. We identified that in sesame seeds, the sesamolin lignan occurs at the highest concentration (ranging between 4.427 mg/g and 10.258 mg/g). Further, the lignan content was highest in the sesame variety Haniall (ranging between 5.220 mg/g and 12.684 mg/g). The Ansan sesame variety showed the greatest antioxidant activity in the relevant tests, exhibiting superior scavenging activities toward 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, along with a higher total polyphenol concentration. In addition, we found that the total polyphenol content of sesame is strongly and positively correlated with its radical scavenging activity, especially against ABTS radicals. These findings highlight that different sesame varieties can be potentially be used as functional foods with antioxidant activities.

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of sesamin against cisplatin-induced renal and testicular toxicity in rats

PURPOSE

The present study investigated the nephron-testicular protective effects of sesamin against cisplatin (CP)-induced acute renal and testicular injuries.

METHODS

Thirty-two male Wistar rats were allocated to receive carboxymethylcellulose (0.5%, as sesamin vehicle), CP (a single i.p. 5 mg/kg dose), CP plus sesamin at 10 or 20 mg/kg orally for 10 days.

RESULTS

Data analysis showed significant increases in serum urea, creatinine, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as renal and testicular tissue malondialdehyde and nitric-oxide concentrations in CP-intoxicated rats in comparison to control animals. On the contrary, rats treated with CP only exhibited significantly lower (p < .05) serum testosterone, tissue glutathione, and activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes compared to control rats. Histopathologically examining CP-intoxicated rats' tissues using H&E and PAS stains showed atrophied glomeruli, interstitial inflammatory cells, atypic tubular epithelium with focal apoptosis, and reduced mucopolysaccharide content. Further, immunohistochemical staining of the same group revealed an increase in p53 and cyclooxygenase-II (Cox-II) expression in renal and testicular tissues. Treatment with sesamin alleviated almost all the changes mentioned above in a dose-dependent manner, with the 20 mg/kg dose restoring several parameters' concentrations to normal ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

In brief, sesamin could protect the kidneys and testes against CP toxicity through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.

Genome-wide characterization of the DIR gene family in sesame reveals the function of SiDIR21 in lignan biosynthesis

Furofuran-type lignans, mainly sesamin and sesamolin, are the most representative functional active ingredients in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Their exceptional antioxidant properties, medicinal benefits, and health-promoting functions have garnered significant attention. Dirigent (DIR) proteins, found in vascular plants, are crucial for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, like lignans, and essential for responding to abiotic and biotic stresses. Despite their importance, they have yet to be systematically analyzed, especially those involved in lignan synthesis in sesame. This study unveiled 44 DIR genes in sesame. Phylogenetic analysis categorized these SiDIRs into five subgroups (DIR-a, DIR-b/d, DIR-e, DIR-f, and DIR-g), aligning with conserved motifs and gene structures analyses. Expression analysis unveiled distinct tissue-specific and hormone-responsive expression patterns among the SiDIR gene family members. Particularly, SiDIR21, a member of the DIR-a subgroup, exhibited robust expression in lignan-accumulating tissues and consistently high expression levels in germplasm during seed development with high sesamin content. Furthermore, SiDIR21 overexpression in hairy roots significantly increased sesamin and sesamolin contents, confirming its role in lignan synthesis. Overall, our study offers a valuable resource for exploring SiDIRs' functions and the lignan biosynthesis pathway in sesame.

Roles of natural products on myokine expression and secretion in skeletal muscle atrophy

Skeletal muscles serve both in movement and as endocrine organs. Myokines secreted by skeletal muscles activate biological functions within muscles and throughout the body via autocrine, paracrine, and/or endocrine pathways. Skeletal muscle atrophy can influence myokine expression and secretion, while myokines can impact the structure and function of skeletal muscles. Regulating the expression and secretion of myokines through the pharmacological approach is a strategy for alleviating skeletal muscle atrophy. Natural products possess complex structures and chemical properties. Previous studies have demonstrated that various natural products exert beneficial effects on skeletal muscle atrophy. This article reviewed the regulatory effects of natural products on myokines and summarized the research progress on skeletal muscle atrophy associated with myokine regulation. The focus is on how small-molecule natural products affect the regulation of interleukin 6 (IL-6), irisin, myostatin, IGF-1, and FGF-21 expression. We contend that the development of small-molecule natural products targeting the regulation of myokines holds promise in combating skeletal muscle atrophy.

The Emerging Role of Natural Products in Cancer Treatment

The exploration of natural products as potential agents for cancer treatment has garnered significant attention in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the diverse array of natural compounds, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, lignans, polyketides, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, highlighting their emerging roles in cancer therapy. These compounds, derived from various botanical sources, exhibit a wide range of mechanisms of action, targeting critical pathways involved in cancer progression such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Through a meticulous examination of preclinical and clinical studies, we provide insights into the therapeutic potential of these natural products across different cancer types. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and challenges associated with their use in cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize their efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and delivery methods. Overall, this review underscores the importance of natural products in advancing cancer therapeutics and paves the way for future investigations into their clinical applications.

Dietary supplementation with seeds of Sesamum indicum L. (pedaliaceae) mitigates the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced breast tumor burden in rats

OBJECTIVES

Sesamum indicum L. seeds; rich in zinc and lignans are endowed with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties which attract research on their anticancer potential. Although many studies have reported the in vitro antitumor potential of S. indicum and its phytoconstituents, much is yet to be known about its in vivo effects. To fill this gap, the effects of dietary supplementation with seeds of S. indicum in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-exposed rats was assessed.

METHODS

42 rats aged 30-35 days were randomized into six groups (n=6) as follows: the normal (NOR) and negative (DMBA) control groups were fed with standard diet; the positive control group (DMBA + Zinc) was fed with standard diet supplemented with commercial zinc (0.01 %); the test groups were fed with standard diet supplemented with S. indicum seeds in different proportions (6.25 , 12.5 and 25 %). Breast cancer was induced by a single administration of DMBA (50 mg/kg BW, s.c.) diluted in corn oil. The experiment lasted 20 weeks and afterward, tumor incidence; tumor burden, tumor volume, tumor micro-architecture and some biochemical parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

As salient result, 100 % of rats in the DMBA group developed tumors, while rats feed with rat chow supplemented with S. indicum seeds (25 %) had a reduced incidence of tumors (33.3 %) and tumor volume (2.71 cm3 in sesame 25 % vs. 4.69 cm3 in the DMBA group, p˂0.01). The seeds (25 %) also slowed DMBA-induced neoplasm expansion in mammary ducts as compared to rats of DMBA group.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, supplementation with S. indicum seeds slowed breast tumorigenesis via its antioxidant capacity.

A review of natural products and small-molecule therapeutics acting on central nervous system malignancies: Approaches for drug development, targeting pathways, clinical trials, and challenges

In 2021, the World Health Organization released the fifth edition of the central nervous system (CNS) tumor classification. This classification uses histopathology and molecular pathogenesis to group tumors into more biologically and molecularly defined entities. The prognosis of brain cancer, particularly malignant tumors, has remained poor worldwide, approximately 308,102 new cases of brain and other CNS tumors were diagnosed in the year 2020, with an estimated 251,329 deaths. The cost and time-consuming nature of studies to find new anticancer agents makes it necessary to have well-designed studies. In the present study, the pathways that can be targeted for drug development are discussed in detail. Some of the important cellular origins, signaling, and pathways involved in the efficacy of bioactive molecules against CNS tumorigenesis or progression, as well as prognosis and common approaches for treatment of different types of brain tumors, are reviewed. Moreover, different study tools, including cell lines, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trial challenges, are discussed. In addition, in this article, natural products as one of the most important sources for finding new chemotherapeutics were reviewed and over 700 reported molecules with efficacy against CNS cancer cells are gathered and classified according to their structure. Based on the clinical trials that have been registered, very few of these natural or semi-synthetic derivatives have been studied in humans. The review can help researchers understand the involved mechanisms and design new goal-oriented studies for drug development against CNS malignancies.

Biochemical and Molecular Insights into Variation in Sesame Seed Antioxidant Capability as Revealed by Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis

Sesame seeds are important resources for relieving oxidation stress-related diseases. Although a significant variation in seeds' antioxidant capability is observed, the underlying biochemical and molecular basis remains elusive. Thus, this study aimed to reveal major seed components and key molecular mechanisms that drive the variability of seeds' antioxidant activity (AOA) using a panel of 400 sesame accessions. The seeds' AOA, total flavonoid, and phenolic contents varied from 2.03 to 78.5%, 0.072 to 3.104 mg CAE/g, and 2.717 to 21.98 mg GAE/g, respectively. Analyses revealed that flavonoids and phenolic acids are the main contributors to seeds' AOA variation, irrespective of seed coat color. LC-MS-based polyphenol profiling of high (HA) and low (LA) antioxidant seeds uncovered 320 differentially accumulated phenolic compounds (DAPs), including 311 up-regulated in HA seeds. Tricin, persicoside, 5,7,4',5'-tetrahydro-3',6-dimethoxyflavone, 8-methoxyapigenin, and 6,7,8-tetrahydroxy-5-methoxyflavone were the top five up-regulated in HA. Comparative transcriptome analysis at three seed developmental stages identified 627~2357 DEGs and unveiled that differential regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and stilbene biosynthesis were the key underlying mechanisms of seed antioxidant capacity variation. Major differentially regulated phenylpropanoid structural genes and transcription factors were identified. SINPZ0000571 (MYB), SINPZ0401118 (NAC), and SINPZ0500871 (C3H) were the most highly induced TFs in HA. Our findings may enhance quality breeding.

Unraveling the Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Lymphoma: Implications in Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies

Inflammasomes are multimeric protein complexes, sensors of intracellular danger signals, and crucial components of the innate immune system, with the NLRP3 inflammasome being the best characterized among them. The increasing scientific interest in the mechanisms interconnecting inflammation and tumorigenesis has led to the study of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the setting of various neoplasms. Despite a plethora of data regarding solid tumors, NLRP3 inflammasome's implication in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies only recently gained attention. In this review, we investigate its role in normal lymphopoiesis and lymphomagenesis. Considering that lymphomas comprise a heterogeneous group of hematologic neoplasms, both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing properties were attributed to the NLRP3 inflammasome, affecting neoplastic cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins were associated with disease characteristics, response to treatment, and prognosis. Few studies assess the efficacy of NLRP3 inflammasome therapeutic targeting with encouraging results, though most are still at the preclinical level. Further understanding of the mechanisms regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation during lymphoma development and progression can contribute to the investigation of novel treatment approaches to cover unmet needs in lymphoma therapeutics.

Identification of QTLs and allelic effect controlling lignan content in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) using QTL-seq approach

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an oilseed crop, is gaining worldwide recognition for its healthy functional ingredients as consumption increases. The content of lignans, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is a key agronomic trait that determines the industrialization of sesame. However, the study of the genetics and physiology of lignans in sesame is challenging, as they are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, therefore, the understanding of gene function and synthetic pathways related to lignan in sesame is still limited. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted genetic analyses using F7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from Goenbaek and Gomazou as low and high lignin content variants, respectively. Using the QTL-seq approach, we identified three loci, qLignan1-1, qLignan6-1, and qLignan11-1, that control lignan content, specifically sesamin and sesamolin. The allelic effect between loci was evaluated using the RIL population. qLignan6-1 had an additive effect that increased lignan content when combined with the other two loci, suggesting that it could be an important factor in gene pyramiding for the development of high-lignan varieties. This study not only highlights the value of sesame lignan, but also provides valuable insights for the development of high-lignan varieties through the use of DNA markers in breeding strategies. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the importance of sesame oil and facilitates progress in sesame breeding for improved lignan content.

Sesamin: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for Ameliorating Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by improperly regulating proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids due to insulin deficiency or resistance. The increasing prevalence of diabetes poses a tremendous socioeconomic burden worldwide, resulting in the rise of many studies on Chinese herbal medicines to discover the most effective cure for diabetes. Sesame seeds are among these Chinese herbal medicines that were found to contain various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, lowering cholesterol, improving liver function, blood pressure and sugar lowering, regulating lipid synthesis, and anticancer activities. These medicinal benefits are attributed to sesamin, which is the main lignan found in sesame seeds and oil. In this study, Wistar rat models were induced with type 2 diabetes using streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide, and the effect of sesamin on the changes in body weight, blood sugar level, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin levels, and the states of the pancreas and liver of the rats were evaluated. The results indicate a reduced blood glucose level, HbA1c, TG, and ALT and AST enzymes after sesamin treatment, while increased insulin level, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were also observed. These findings prove sesamin's efficacy in ameliorating the symptoms of diabetes through its potent pharmacological activities.

Improving desirable agronomic traits of M2 lines on fourteen Ethiopian Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes using Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS)

Sesame is an important oilseed crop cultivated in Ethiopia as a cash crop for small holder farmers. However, low yield is one of the main constraints of its cultivation. Boosting and sustaining production of sesame is thus timely to achieve the global oil demand. This study was, therefore, aimed at identifying mutant genotypes targeted to produce better agronomic traits of M2 lines on fourteen Ethiopian sesame genotypes through seed treatment with chemical mutagens. EMS was used as a chemical mutagen to treat the fourteen sesame genotypes. Quantitative and qualitative data were recorded and analyzed using analysis of variance with GenStat 16 software. Post-ANOVA mean comparisons were made using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (p≤ 0.01). Statistically significant phenotypic changes were observed in both quantitative and qualitative agronomic traits of the M2 lines. All mutant genotypes generated by EMS treatment showed a highly significant variation for the measured quantitative traits, except for the traits LBL and LTL. On the other hand, EMS-treated genotypes showed a significant change for the qualitative traits, except for PGT, BP, SSCS, LC, LH and LA traits. Mutated Baha Necho, Setit 3, and Zeri Tesfay showed the most promising changes in desirable agronomic traits. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the treatment of sesame seeds with EMS to generate desirable agronomic traits in Ethiopian sesame genotypes. These findings would deliver an insight into the genetic characteristics and variability of important sesame agronomic traits. Besides, the findings set up a foundation for future genomic studies in sesame agronomic traits, which would serve as genetic resources for sesame improvement.

Sesamin suppresses angiotensin-II-enhanced oxidative stress and hypertrophic markers in H9c2 cells

Myocardial hypertrophy plays a crucial role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Myocardial hypertrophy is an adaptive response by myocardial cells to stress after cardiac injury to maintain cardiac output and function. Angiotensin II (Ang-II) regulates CVD through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and its signaling in cardiac myocytes leads to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Sesamin (SA), a natural compound in sesame seeds, has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. This study investigated whether SA could attenuate hypertrophic damage and oxidative injuries in H9c2 cells under Ang-II stimulation. We found that SA decreased the cell surface area. Furthermore, Ang-II treatment reduced Ang-II-increased ANP, BNP, and β-MHC expression. Ang-II enhanced NADPH oxidase activity, ROS formation, and decreased Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity. SA treatment reduces Ang-II-caused oxidative injuries. We also found that SA mitigates Ang-II-induced apoptosis and pro-inflammatory responses. In conclusion, SA could attenuate Ang-II-induced cardiac hypertrophic injuries by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in H9c2 cells. Therefore, SA might be a potential supplement for CVD management.

Intervertebral disc degeneration and inflammatory microenvironment: expression, pathology, and therapeutic strategies

BACKGROUND

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a leading cause of low back pain (LBP), posing a significant socioeconomic burden. Recent studies highlight the crucial role of inflammatory microenvironment in IDD progression.

METHOD

A keyword-based search was performed using the PubMed database for published articles.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Dysregulated expression of inflammatory cytokines disrupts intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis, causing atrophy, fibrosis, and phenotypic changes in nucleus pulposus cells. Modulating the inflammatory microenvironment and restoring cytokine balance hold promise for IVD repair and regeneration. This comprehensive review systematically examines the expression regulation, pathological effects, therapeutic strategies, and future challenges associated with the inflammatory microenvironment and relevant cytokines in IDD. Key inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and chemokines, exhibit significant pathological effects in IDD. Furthermore, major therapeutic modalities such as chemical antagonists, biologics, plant extracts, and gene transcription therapies are introduced to control and ameliorate the inflammatory microenvironment. These approaches provide valuable insights for identifying potential targets in future anti-inflammatory treatments for IDD.

Bromination of eudesmin isolated from araucaria araucana induces epimerization and give bromine derivatives with loss of anti-Candida activity

Furofuran lignanes show important biological activities for the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory and metabolic pathologies. They have been isolated from leaves and barks of many plants. In Chile the native conifer Araucaria araucana produces eudesmin, matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol in stemwood, branchwood and knotwood. These compounds were previously isolated by laborious flash chromatography on silica gel. Here we report the easy isolation of eudesmin by soxhlet extraction from milled knots of Araucaria araucana with hexane, followed by cryo-crystallization at -20 °C. Upon bromination of the isolated eudesmin epimerization at one benzylic position occurs, giving epieudesmin and the corresponding mono and di-brominated derivatives. The structures were determined by 1D, 2D NMR and X-ray diffraction. The analysis of products against Candida yeast showed that eudesmin has a moderate activity against different strains of Candida from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL. This activity decreases for epieudesmin, while bromine derivatives are not active.

Byproducts of Sesame Oil Extraction: Composition, Function, and Comprehensive Utilization

Sesame is principally used to generate oil, which is produced by chemical refining or pressing. Sesame meal, as a main byproduct of sesame oil extraction, is usually discarded, causing resource waste and economic loss. Sesame meal is rich in sesame protein and three types of sesame lignans (sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol). Sesame protein extracted via a physical method and an enzymic method has balanced amino acid composition and is an important protein source, and thus it is often added to animal feed and used as a human dietary supplement. Extracted sesame lignan exhibits multiple biological activities such as antihypertensive, anticancer, and cholesterol-lowering activities, and therefore it is used to improve the oxidative stability of oils. This review summarizes the extraction methods, functional activities, and comprehensive utilization of four active substances (sesame protein, sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol) in sesame meal with the aim to provide theoretical guidance for the maximum utilization of sesame meal.

Lignan-Rich Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivar Exhibits In Vitro Anti-Cholinesterase Activity, Anti-Neurotoxicity in Amyloid-β Induced SH-SY5Y Cells, and Produces an In Vivo Nootropic Effect in Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impaired Mice

Alzheimer's disease, a major cause of dementia, is characterized by impaired cholinergic function, increased oxidative stress, and amyloid cascade induction. Sesame lignans have attracted considerable attention owing to their beneficial effects on brain health. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of lignan-rich sesame cultivars. Among the 10 sesame varieties studied, Milyang 74 (M74) extracts exhibited the highest total lignan content (17.71 mg/g) and in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (66.17%, 0.4 mg/mL). M74 extracts were the most effective in improving cell viability and inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) generation in amyloid-β_25-35 fragment-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Thus, M74 was used to evaluate the nootropic effects of sesame extracts and oil on scopolamine (2 mg/kg)-induced memory impairment in mice compared to the control cultivar (Goenback). Pretreatment with the M74 extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and oil (1 and 2 mL/kg) effectively improved memory disorder in mice (demonstrated by the passive avoidance test), inhibited AChE, and enhanced acetylcholine (Ach) levels. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and Western blot results showed that the M74 extract and oil reversed the scopolamine-induced increase in APP, BACE-1, and presenilin expression levels in the amyloid cascade and decreased BDNF and NGF expression levels in neuronal regeneration.

Mitochondrial quality control proteases and their modulation for cancer therapy

Mitochondria, the main provider of energy in eukaryotic cells, contains more than 1000 different proteins and is closely related to the development of cells. However, damaged proteins impair mitochondrial function, further contributing to several human diseases. Evidence shows mitochondrial proteases are critically important for protein maintenance. Most importantly, quality control enzymes exert a crucial role in the modulation of mitochondrial functions by degrading misfolded, aged, or superfluous proteins. Interestingly, cancer cells thrive under stress conditions that damage proteins, so targeting mitochondrial quality control proteases serves as a novel regulator for cancer cells. Not only that, mitochondrial quality control proteases have been shown to affect mitochondrial dynamics by regulating the morphology of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), which is closely related to the occurrence and progression of cancer. In this review, we introduce mitochondrial quality control proteases as promising targets and related modulators in cancer therapy with a focus on caseinolytic protease P (ClpP), Lon protease (LonP1), high-temperature requirement protein A2 (HrtA2), and OMA-1. Further, we summarize our current knowledge of the advances in clinical trials for modulators of mitochondrial quality control proteases. Overall, the content proposed above serves to suggest directions for the development of novel antitumor drugs.

New Anti-Glycative Lignans from the Defatted Seeds of Sesamum indicum

Seven known analogs, along with two previously undescribed lignan derivatives sesamlignans A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a water-soluble extract of the defatted sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) by applying the chromatographic separation method. Structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated based on extensive interpretation of 1D, 2D NMR, and HRFABMS spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were established by analyzing the optical rotation and circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. Inhibitory effects against the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) scavenging assays were performed to evaluate the anti-glycation effects of all isolated compounds. Among the isolated compounds, (1) and (2) showed potent inhibition towards AGEs formation, with IC₅₀ values of 7.5 ± 0.3 and 9.8 ± 0.5 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the new aryltetralin-type lignan 1 exhibited the most potent activity when tested in the in vitro ONOO^- scavenging assay.

Therapeutic Potential of Phenolic Compounds in Medicinal Plants-Natural Health Products for Human Health

Phenolic compounds and flavonoids are potential substitutes for bioactive agents in pharmaceutical and medicinal sections to promote human health and prevent and cure different diseases. The most common flavonoids found in nature are anthocyanins, flavones, flavanones, flavonols, flavanonols, isoflavones, and other sub-classes. The impacts of plant flavonoids and other phenolics on human health promoting and diseases curing and preventing are antioxidant effects, antibacterial impacts, cardioprotective effects, anticancer impacts, immune system promoting, anti-inflammatory effects, and skin protective effects from UV radiation. This work aims to provide an overview of phenolic compounds and flavonoids as potential and important sources of pharmaceutical and medical application according to recently published studies, as well as some interesting directions for future research. The keyword searches for flavonoids, phenolics, isoflavones, tannins, coumarins, lignans, quinones, xanthones, curcuminoids, stilbenes, cucurmin, phenylethanoids, and secoiridoids medicinal plant were performed by using Web of Science, Scopus, Google scholar, and PubMed. Phenolic acids contain a carboxylic acid group in addition to the basic phenolic structure and are mainly divided into hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids. Hydroxybenzoic acids are based on a C6-C1 skeleton and are often found bound to small organic acids, glycosyl moieties, or cell structural components. Common hydroxybenzoic acids include gallic, syringic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, gentistic, and salicylic acids. Hydroxycinnamic acids are based on a C6-C3 skeleton and are also often bound to other molecules such as quinic acid and glucose. The main hydroxycinnamic acids are caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids.

Resequencing of 410 Sesame Accessions Identifies SINST1 as the Major Underlying Gene for Lignans Variation

Sesame is a promising oilseed crop that produces specific lignans of clinical importance. Hence, a molecular description of the regulatory mechanisms of lignan biosynthesis is essential for crop improvement. Here, we resequence 410 sesame accessions and identify 5.38 and 1.16 million SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and InDels, respectively. Population genomic analyses reveal that sesame has evolved a geographic pattern categorized into northern (NC), middle (MC), and southern (SC) groups, with potential origin in the southern region and subsequent introduction to the other regions. Selective sweeps analysis uncovers 120 and 75 significant selected genomic regions in MC and NC groups, respectively. By screening these genomic regions, we unveiled 184 common genes positively selected in these subpopulations for exploitation in sesame improvement. Genome-wide association study identifies 17 and 72 SNP loci for sesamin and sesamolin variation, respectively, and 11 candidate causative genes. The major pleiotropic SNPC/A locus for lignans variation is located in the exon of the gene SiNST1. Further analyses revealed that this locus was positively selected in higher lignan content sesame accessions, and the "C" allele is favorable for a higher accumulation of lignans. Overexpression of SiNST1C in sesame hairy roots significantly up-regulated the expression of SiMYB58, SiMYB209, SiMYB134, SiMYB276, and most of the monolignol biosynthetic genes. Consequently, the lignans content was significantly increased, and the lignin content was slightly increased. Our findings provide insights into lignans and lignin regulation in sesame and will facilitate molecular breeding of elite varieties and marker-traits association studies.

Bioinformatics and In silico approaches to identify novel biomarkers and key pathways for cancers that are linked to the progression of female infertility: A comprehensive approach for drug discovery

Despite modern treatment, infertility remains one of the most common gynecologic diseases causing severe health effects worldwide. The clinical and epidemiological data have shown that several cancerous risk factors are strongly linked to Female Infertility (FI) development, but the exact causes remain unknown. Understanding how these risk factors affect FI-affected cell pathways might pave the door for the discovery of critical signaling pathways and hub proteins that may be targeted for therapeutic intervention. To deal with this, we have used a bioinformatics pipeline to build a transcriptome study of FI with four carcinogenic risk factors: Endometrial Cancer (EC), Ovarian Cancer (OC), Cervical Cancer (CC), and Thyroid Cancer (TC). We identified FI sharing 97, 211, 87 and 33 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with EC, OC, CC, and TC, respectively. We have built gene-disease association networks from the identified genes based on the multilayer network and neighbour-based benchmarking. Identified TNF signalling pathways, ovarian infertility genes, cholesterol metabolic process, and cellular response to cytokine stimulus were significant molecular and GO pathways, both of which improved our understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms of cancers associated with FI progression. For therapeutic intervention, we have targeted the two most significant hub proteins VEGFA and PIK3R1, out of ten proteins based on Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) value of cytoscape and literature analysis for molecular docking with 27 phytoestrogenic compounds. Among them, sesamin, galangin and coumestrol showed the highest binding affinity for VEGFA and PIK3R1 proteins together with favourable ADMET properties. We recommended that our identified pathway, hub proteins and phytocompounds may be served as new targets and therapeutic interventions for accurate diagnosis and treatment of multiple diseases.

Anticancer natural products targeting immune checkpoint protein network

Normal cells express surface proteins that bind to immune checkpoint proteins on immune cells to turn them off, whereby the immune system does not attack normal healthy cells. Cancer cells can also utilize this same protective mechanism by expressing surface proteins that can interact with checkpoint proteins on immune cells to overcome the immune surveillance. Immunotherapy is making the best use of the body's own immune system to reinforce anti-tumor responses. The most generally used immunotherapy is the control of immune checkpoints including the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell deathreceptor 1 (PD-1), or programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). In spite of the clinical effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors, the overall response rate still remains low. Therefore, there have been considerable efforts in searching for alternative immune checkpoint proteins that may work as new therapeutic targets for treatment of cancer. Recent studies have identified several additional novel immune checkpoint targets, including lymphocyte activation gene-3, T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3, T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif domain, V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation, B7 homolog 3 protein, B and T cell lymphocyte attenuator, and inducible T cell COStimulator. Natural compounds, especially those present in medicinal or dietary plants, have been investigated for their anti-tumor effects in various in vitro and in vivo models. Some phytochemicals exert anti-tumor activities based on immunoregulatioby blocking interaction between proteins involved in immune checkpoint signal transduction or regulating their expression/activity. Recently, synergistic anti-cancer effects of diverse phytochemicals with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 or anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody drugs have been continuously reported. Considering an increasing attention to noteworthy therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the cancer therapy, this review focuses on regulatory effects of selected phytochemicals on immune checkpoint protein network and their combinational effectiveness with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting tumor cells.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review of Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Composition, Health Benefits, Development of Food, and Industrial Applications

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), of the Pedaliaceae family, is one of the first oil crops used in humans. It is widely grown and has a mellow flavor and high nutritional value, making it very popular in the diet. Sesame seeds are rich in protein and lipids and have many health benefits. A number of in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials have found sesame seeds to be rich in lignan-like active ingredients. They have antioxidant, cholesterol reduction, blood lipid regulation, liver and kidney protection, cardiovascular system protection, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and other effects, which have great benefits to human health. In addition, the aqueous extract of sesame has been shown to be safe for animals. As an important medicinal and edible homologous food, sesame is used in various aspects of daily life such as food, feed, and cosmetics. The health food applications of sesame are increasing. This paper reviews the progress of research on the nutritional value, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and processing uses of sesame to support the further development of more functionalities of sesame.

Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Therapeutic Perspectives of Phytochemicals

Low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide that declines the quality of life; it poses a substantial economic burden for the patient and society. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of low back pain, and it is also the pathological basis of several spinal degenerative diseases, such as intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis. The current clinical drug treatment of IDD focuses on the symptoms and not their pathogenesis, which results in frequent recurrence and gradual aggravation. Moreover, the side effects associated with the long-term use of these drugs further limit their use. The pathological mechanism of IDD is complex, and oxidative stress and inflammation play an important role in promoting IDD. They induce the destruction of the extracellular matrix in IVD and reduce the number of living cells and functional cells, thereby destroying the function of IVD and promoting the occurrence and development of IDD. Phytochemicals from fruits, vegetables, grains, and other herbs play a protective role in the treatment of IDD as they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This article reviews the protective effects of phytochemicals on IDD and their regulatory effects on different molecular pathways related to the pathogenesis of IDD. Moreover, the therapeutic limitations and future prospects of IDD treatment have also been reviewed. Phytochemicals are promising candidates for further development and research on IDD treatment.

Sesamin Activates Skeletal Muscle FNDC5 Expression and Increases Irisin Secretion via the SIRT1 Signaling Pathway

Sesamin, a major lignin mainly found in sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil and sesame seeds, has been demonstrated to possess lipoclasis-promoting, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects. Irisin is a newly discovered myokine that has attracted great interest as a key target to prevent/treat obesity and its related metabolic diseases. However, the effect and potential mechanism of sesamin on FNDC5/irisin are still vacant. In this study, we showed that sesamin treatment increased FNDC5/irisin activation and regulated SIRT1, PGC-1α, and p-SMAD3/SMAD3 expression in C2C12 cells. By using specific inhibitors and lentivirus in C2C12 cells, we found that the SIRT1/SMAD3 axis plays an important role in sesamin regulated FNDC5/irisin activation. We also found that sesamin treatment activated FNDC5 expression and regulated the SIRT1/SMAD3 signaling axis in mice's skeletal muscle. What is more, by the high-fat diet induced obese model, we further showed that sesamin improved the high-fat diet induced decrease in irisin production and secretion, which results in an improvement of body weight gain and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Our results suggested that sesamin could activate FNDC5 expression and stimulate irisin secretion through the SIRT1 pathway both in vitro and in vivo, which may provide a new strategy for preventing and improving irisin deficiency related diseases.

Transgenic Forsythia plants expressing sesame cytochrome P450 produce beneficial lignans

Lignans are widely distributed plant secondary metabolites that have received attention for their benefits to human health. Sesamin is a furofran lignan that is conventionally extracted from Sesamum seeds and shows anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the human liver. Sesamin is biosynthesized by the Sesamum-specific enzyme CYP81Q1, and the natural sources of sesamin are annual plants that are at risk from climate change. In contrast, Forsythia species are widely distributed perennial woody plants that highly accumulate the precursor lignan pinoresinol. To sustainably supply sesamin, we developed a transformation method for Forsythia leaf explants and generated transgenic Forsythia plants that heterologously expressed the CYP81Q1 gene. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC-mass spectrometry analyses detected sesamin and its intermediate piperitol in the leaves of two independent transgenic lines of F. intermedia and F. koreana. We also detected the accumulation of sesamin and piperitol in their vegetatively propagated descendants, demonstrating the stable and efficient production of these lignans. These results indicate that CYP81Q1-transgenic Forsythia plants are promising prototypes to produce diverse lignans and provide an important strategy for the cost-effective and scalable production of lignans.

Genome-wide characterization and identification of candidate ERF genes involved in various abiotic stress responses in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

BACKGROUND

The adverse effects of climate change on crop production are constraining breeders to develop high-quality environmentally stable varieties. Hence, efforts are being made to identify key genes that could be targeted for enhancing crop tolerance to environmental stresses. ERF transcription factors play an important role in various abiotic stresses in plants. However, the roles of the ERF family in abiotic stresses tolerance are still largely unknown in sesame, the "queen" of oilseed crops.

RESULTS

In total, 114 sesame ERF genes (SiERFs) were identified and characterized. 96.49% of the SiERFs were distributed unevenly on the 16 linkage groups of the sesame genome. The phylogenetic analysis with the Arabidopsis ERFs (AtERFs) subdivided SiERF subfamily proteins into 11 subgroups (Groups I to X; and VI-L). Genes in the same subgroup exhibited similar structure and conserved motifs. Evolutionary analysis showed that the expansion of ERF genes in sesame was mainly induced by whole-genome duplication events. Moreover, cis-acting elements analysis showed that SiERFs are mostly involved in environmental responses. Gene expression profiles analysis revealed that 59 and 26 SiERFs are highly stimulated under drought and waterlogging stress, respectively. In addition, qRT-PCR analyses indicated that most of SiERFs are also significantly up-regulated under osmotic, submerge, ABA, and ACC stresses. Among them, SiERF23 and SiERF54 were the most induced by both the abiotic stresses, suggesting their potential for targeted improvement of sesame response to multiple abiotic stresses.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure, classification, evolution, and abiotic stresses response of ERF genes in sesame. Moreover, it offers valuable gene resources for functional characterization towards enhancing sesame tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses.

Therapeutic potential of naturally occurring lignans as anticancer agents

Cancer as a long-lasting and dramatic pandemic affects almost a third of the human being worldwide. At present, chemotherapy is the main clinical treatment strategy, but it is difficult to achieve satisfactory efficacy due to drug resistance and side effects. Natural products are becoming increasingly popular in cancer therapy due to their potent broad-spectrum anticancer potency and slight side effects. Lignans are complex diphenolic compounds, comprising a family of secondary metabolites existing widely in plants. Naturally occurring lignans have the potential to act on cancer cells by a range of mechanisms of action and could inhibit the colony formation, arrest the cell cycle in different phases, induce apoptosis, and suppress migration, providing privileged scaffolds for the discovery of novel anticancer agents. In recent five years, a variety of naturally occurring lignans were isolated and screened for their in vitro and/or in vivo anticancer efficacy, and some of them exhibited promising potential. This review has systematically summarized the resources, anticancer activity, and mechanisms of action of naturally occurring lignans, covering articles published between January 2017 and January 2022.

Current Research Trends and Prospects for Yield and Quality Improvement in Sesame, an Important Oilseed Crop

Climate change is shifting agricultural production, which could impact the economic and cultural contexts of the oilseed industry, including sesame. Environmental threats (biotic and abiotic stresses) affect sesame production and thus yield (especially oil content). However, few studies have investigated the genetic enhancement, quality improvement, or the underlying mechanisms of stress tolerance in sesame. This study reveals the challenges faced by farmers/researchers growing sesame crops and the potential genetic and genomic resources for addressing the threats, including: (1) developing sesame varieties that tolerate phyllody, root rot disease, and waterlogging; (2) investigating beneficial agro-morphological traits, such as determinate growth, prostrate habit, and delayed response to seed shattering; (3) using wild relatives of sesame for wide hybridization; and (4) advancing existing strategies to maintain sesame production under changing climatic conditions. Future research programs need to add technologies and develop the best research strategies for economic and sustainable development.

Overexpression of sesame polyketide synthase A leads to abnormal pollen development in Arabidopsis

BACKGROUND

Sesame is a great reservoir of bioactive constituents and unique antioxidant components. It is widely used for its nutritional and medicinal value. The expanding demand for sesame seeds is putting pressure on sesame breeders to develop high-yielding varieties. A hybrid breeding strategy based on male sterility is one of the most effective ways to increase the crop yield. To date, little is known about the genes and mechanism underlying sesame male fertility. Therefore, studies are being conducted to identify and functionally characterize key candidate genes involved in sesame pollen development. Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are critical enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of sporopollenin, the primary component of pollen exine. Their in planta functions are being investigated for applications in crop breeding.

RESULTS

In this study, we cloned the sesame POLYKETIDE SYNTHASE A (SiPKSA) and examined its function in male sterility. SiPKSA was specifically expressed in sesame flower buds, and its expression was significantly higher in sterile sesame anthers than in fertile anthers during the tetrad and microspore development stages. Furthermore, overexpression of SiPKSA in Arabidopsis caused male sterility in transgenic plants. Ultrastructural observation showed that the pollen grains of SiPKSA-overexpressing plants contained few cytoplasmic inclusions and exhibited an abnormal pollen wall structure, with a thicker exine layer compared to the wild type. In agreement with this, the expression of a set of sporopollenin biosynthesis-related genes and the contents of their fatty acids and phenolics were significantly altered in anthers of SiPKSA-overexpressing plants compared with wild type during anther development.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlighted that overexpression of SiPKSA in Arabidopsis might cause male sterility through defective pollen wall formation. Moreover, they suggested that SiPKSA modulates vibrant pollen development via sporopollenin biosynthesis, and a defect in its regulation may induce male sterility. Therefore, genetic manipulation of SiPKSA might promote hybrid breeding in sesame and other crop species.

The Dark Pigment in the Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Seed Coat: Isolation, Characterization, and Its Potential Precursors

Sesame is a worldwide oilseed crop used in the food pharmacy. Its seed phenotypes determine the seed quality values. However, a thorough assessment of seed coat metabolites is lacking, and the dark pigment in the seed coat is not well-characterized. Herein, we report the isolation of melanin by the alkali method from the black and brown sesame seeds. Physicochemical methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), solubility, precipitation, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), were used to characterize the sesame melanins. The results clearly showed that the isolated pigments were similar to melanin from other sources. Both melanins were heat-stable and exhibited numerous characteristic absorption peaks. Through a comprehensible LC-MS/MS-based metabolome profiles analysis of NaOH and methanol extracts of black and white sesame seeds, caffeic, protocatechuic, indole-carboxylic, homogentisic, ferulic, vanillic, and benzoic acids were identified as the potential precursors of the sesame melanin. Our findings widen our understanding of dark seeds pigmentation in sesame. Furthermore, they show that black sesame seeds are promising sources of edible melanin for food and biotechnological applications.

Pharmacological Properties to Pharmacological Insight of Sesamin in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Literature-Based Review Study

The use of dietary phytochemical rather than conventional therapies to treat numerous cancers is now a well-known approach in medical science. Easily available and less toxic dietary phytochemicals present in plants should be introduced in the list of phytochemical-based treatment areas. Sesamin, a natural phytochemical, may be a promising chemopreventive agent aiming to manage breast cancer. In this study, we discussed the pharmacological properties of sesamin that determine its therapeutics opportunity to be used in breast cancer treatment and other diseases. Sesamin is available in medicinal plants, especially in Sesamum indicum, and is easily metabolized by the liver. To better understand the antibreast cancer consequence of sesamin, we postulate some putative pathways related to the antibreast cancer mechanism: (1) regulation of estrogen receptor (ER-α and ER-β) activities, (2) suppressing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) overexpression, (3) growth factor receptor inhibition, and (4) some tyrosine kinase pathways. Targeting these pathways, sesamin can modulate cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, cell growth and viability, metastasis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and oncogene inactivation in various in vitro and animal models. Although the actual tumor intrinsic signaling mechanism targeted by sesamin in cancer treatment is still unknown, this review summarized that this phytoestrogen suppressed NF-κB, STAT, MAPK, and PIK/AKT signaling pathways and activated some tumor suppressor protein in numerous breast cancer models. Cotreatment with γ-tocotrienol, conventional drugs, and several drug carriers systems increased the anticancer potentiality of sesamin. Furthermore, sesamin exhibited promising pharmacokinetics properties with less toxicity in the bodies. Overall, the shreds of evidence highlight that sesamin can be a potent candidate to design drugs against breast cancer. So, like other phytochemicals, sesamin can be consumed for better therapeutic advantages due to having the ability to target a plethora of molecular pathways until clinically trialed standard drugs are not available in pharma markets.

Targeting NF-κB pathway by dietary lignans in inflammation: expanding roles of gut microbiota and metabolites

Inflammation is a major factor affecting human health. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) plays a vital role in the development of inflammation, and the promoters of most inflammatory cytokine genes have NF-κB-binding sites. Targeting NF-κB could be an exciting route for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases. As important constituents of natural plants, lignans are proved to have numerous biological functions. There are growing pieces of evidence demonstrate that lignans have the potential anti-inflammatory activities. In this work, the type, structure and source of lignans and the influence on mitigating the inflammation are systematically summarized. This review focuses on the targeting NF-κB signaling pathway in the inflammatory response by different lignans and their molecular mechanisms. Lignans also regulate gut microflora and change gut microbial metabolites, which exert novel pathway to prevent NF-κB activation. Taken together, lignans target NF-κB with various mechanisms to inhibit inflammatory cytokine expressions in the inflammatory response. It will provide a scientific theoretical basis for further research on the anti-inflammatory effects of lignans and the development of functional foods.

A living cell-based fluorescent reporter for high-throughput screening of anti-tumor drugs

Suppression of cellular O-linked β-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) can repress proliferation and migration of various cancer cells, which opens a new avenue for cancer therapy. Based on the regulation of insulin gene transcription, we designed a cell-based fluorescent reporter capable of sensing cellular O-GlcNAcylation in HEK293T cells. The fluorescent reporter mainly consists of a reporter (green fluorescent protein (GFP)), an internal reference (red fluorescent protein), and an operator (neuronal differentiation 1), which serves as a “sweet switch” to control GFP expression in response to cellular O-GlcNAcylation changes. The fluorescent reporter can efficiently sense reduced levels of cellular O-GlcNAcylation in several cell lines. Using the fluorescent reporter, we screened 120 natural products and obtained one compound, sesamin, which could markedly inhibit protein O-GlcNAcylation in HeLa and human colorectal carcinoma-116 cells and repress their migration in vitro. Altogether, the present study demonstrated the development of a novel strategy for anti-tumor drug screening, as well as for conducting gene transcription studies.

•

The reporter developed in this study is living cell-based with convenient utility.

•

The method can be used for high-throughput screening.

•

The reporter is versatile with potential applicability in the discovery of OGT/GFAT inhibitors and antitumor drugs.

Sesamin inhibits hypoxia-stimulated angiogenesis via NF-κB p65/HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway in human colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Tumor angiogenesis plays a critical role in CRC metastasis, and hypoxia, widely existed in the tumor mass, drives tumor...

Widely targeted metabolome profiling of different colored sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds provides new insight into their antioxidant activities

Sesame seeds are considered worldwide as a functional food due to their nutritional and therapeutical values. Several physiological functions are being associated with sesame seeds and their derived products. However, the phytochemicals responsible for these various proprieties are not well understood. Thus, to acknowledge the diversity and variability of metabolites in sesame seeds of different colors and reveal key metabolites and pathways contributing to differences in antioxidant activities, black, brown, yellow, and white sesame seeds from 12 varieties were subjected to LC-MS/MS-based widely targeted metabolomics analysis. Totally, 671 metabolites were identified and chemically classified. The metabolic compounds varied significantly with the seed coat color and genotype. Many flavonoids, amino acids, and terpenoids were up-regulated in dark seeds. Sixty key differential metabolites were filtered out. Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, amino acids biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism were the main differently regulated pathways. The DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays showed that the antioxidant activities of the seeds increased with the seed coat darkness. Therefore, the pharmacological proprieties of black seeds might be related to their high content of flavonoids and essential amino acids mostly. These findings expand phytochemicals composition information of different colored sesame seeds and provide resources for their comprehensive use and quality improvement.

Route of intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity of sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin in human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells

The intracellular uptake concentration determines drug absorption, drug activity, and toxicity. Sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin are promising bioactive components from Sesame indicum L. Their respective intracellular uptake pathway and cytotoxicity were evaluated using melanoma and non-cancerous cells. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were built to identify the molecular features affecting drug uptake in cells. The respective intracellular uptake pathway for sesamol vs. sesamin and sesamolin was carrier-mediated vs. passive transport. Topological polar surface area (PSA) and 2D autocorrections increase the intracellular concentration (C/M ratio) of these compounds. Sesamol has the lowest C/M ratio compared to sesamin and sesamolin, but only sesamol inhibits the cell viability of melanoma and provides an inhibition concentration at 50% (IC₅₀) against melanoma cells. The slightly aqueous solubility of sesamin and sesamolin, therefore, limits testing of their cytotoxicity. In conclusion, sesamol has the potential to inhibit melanoma cell growth, but requires improvement of the C/M ratio to increase its physicochemical properties. Thus, in order to investigate the cytotoxicity of sesamin and sesamolin against melanoma cells a solubility enhancer is needed.

Immunomodulatory and Antiprotozoal Potential of Fabricated Sesamum radiatum Oil/Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Au Polymeric Bionanocomposite Film

A unique morphological Sesamum radiatum oil/polyvinylpyrrolidone/gold polymeric bionanocomposite film was synthesized using the S. radiatum oil dispersed in a polymeric polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix and decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The chemical and physical characteristics as well as the thermal stability of the synthesized bionanocomposite film were investigated using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The microscopic analysis confirmed well dispersed AuNPs in the PVP- S. radiatum oil matrix with particle size of 100 nm. Immunomodulatory and antiprotozoal potentials of the suggested bionanocomposite film were evaluated for lipopolysaccharide-induced BV-2 microglia and against L. amazonensis, L. mexicana promastigotes and T. cruzi epimastigotes, respectively. The results exerted outstanding reduction of inflammatory cytokines' (IL-6 and TNFα) secretions after pretreatment of bionanocomposite. The bionanocomposite exhibited large inhibitory effects on certain cell signaling components that are related to the activation of expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, AuNPs and bionanocomposite exhibited excellent growth inhibition of L. mexicana and L. amazonensis promastigotes with IC50 (1.71 ± 1.49, 1.68 ± 0.75) and (1.12 ± 1.10, 1.42 ± 0.69), respectively. However, the nanomaterials showed moderate activity towards T. cruzi. All outcomes indicated promising immunomodulatory, antiprotozoal, and photocatalytic potentials for the synthesized S. radiatum oil/PVP/Au polymeric bionanocomposite.