Recent status of sesaminol and its glucosides: Synthesis, metabolism, and biological activities

Sesamum indicum is a major and important oilseed crop that is believed to promote human health in many countries, especially in China. Sesame seeds contain two types of lignans: lipid-soluble lignans and water-soluble glucosylated lignans. The major glucosylated lignans are sesaminol glucosides (SGs). So far, four sesaminol isomers and four SGs are identified. During the naturally occurring process of SGs production, sesaminol is generated first from two molecules of E-coniferyl alcohol, and then the sugar is added to the sesaminol one by one, leading to production of SGs. Sesaminol can be prepared from SGs, from sesamolin, and through artificial synthesis. SGs are metabolized in the liver and intestine and are then transported to other tissues. They exhibit several biological activities, most of which are based on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this paper, we present an overview of the current status of research on sesaminol and SGs. We have also discussed their synthesis, preparation, metabolism, and biological activities. It has been suggested that sesaminol and SGs are important biological substances with strong antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo and are widely used in the food industry, medicine, and cosmetic products. The recovery and utilization of SGs from sesame seed cake after oil processing will generate massive economic benefits.

Lignans as Pharmacological Agents in Disorders Related to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Chemical Synthesis Approaches and Biological Activities

Plant lignans exhibit a wide range of biological activities, which makes them the research objects of potential use as therapeutic agents. They provide diverse naturally-occurring pharmacophores and are available for production by chemical synthesis. A large amount of accumulated data indicates that lignans of different structural groups are apt to demonstrate both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, in many cases, simultaneously. In this review, we summarize the comprehensive knowledge about lignan use as a bioactive agent in disorders associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo, molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, and chemical synthesis approaches. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the current data in this area, available in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, screened from 2000 to 2022.

Lignans of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review

Major lignans of sesame sesamin and sesamolin are benzodioxol--substituted furofurans. Sesamol, sesaminol, its epimers, and episesamin are transformation products found in processed products. Synthetic routes to all lignans are known but only sesamol is synthesized industrially. Biosynthesis of furofuran lignans begins with the dimerization of coniferyl alcohol, followed by the formation of dioxoles, oxidation, and glycosylation. Most genes of the lignan pathway in sesame have been identified but the inheritance of lignan content is poorly understood. Health-promoting properties make lignans attractive components of functional food. Lignans enhance the efficiency of insecticides and possess antifeedant activity, but their biological function in plants remains hypothetical. In this work, extensive literature including historical texts is reviewed, controversial issues are critically examined, and errors perpetuated in literature are corrected. The following aspects are covered: chemical properties and transformations of lignans; analysis, purification, and total synthesis; occurrence in Seseamum indicum and related plants; biosynthesis and genetics; biological activities; health-promoting properties; and biological functions. Finally, the improvement of lignan content in sesame seeds by breeding and biotechnology and the potential of hairy roots for manufacturing lignans in vitro are outlined.

Enantioselective total synthesis of furofuran lignans via Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic cycloadditon of vinylethylene carbonates with 2-nitroacrylates

Herein, a practical and efficient approach to tetrahydrofurans with three-stereocenters has been developed through Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic cycloaddition of vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) with 2-nitroacrylates under mild conditions. By using this asymmetric catalytic reaction as a key step, several furofuran lignans with stereodivergency have been effectively synthesized through 5- or 6-step sequences from readily available starting materials.

Concise Asymmetric Construction of C2 -symmetric 1,9-Diarylnonanoids Using a Hypervalent Silicon Complex: Total Synthesis of (-)-Ericanone

By using a phosphine oxide-catalyzed enantioselective double aldol reaction, we achieved the concise construction of C2 -symmetric 1,9-diarylnonanoids, enabling the synthesis of (-)-ericanone from p-hydroxybenzaldehyde in 6 steps with 65 % overall yield. The enantioselective double aldol reaction is useful for establishing C2 -symmetric 1,9-diaryl-3,7-dihydroxy-5-nonanones with a single operation. Furthermore, the use of o-nosyl-protected p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and a 4,4'-disubstituted BINAP dioxide catalyst dramatically improved the reactivity and selectivity in the double aldol reaction, enabling the total synthesis of (-)-ericanone with high yield and with excellent enantiopurity.

Stereoselective construction of 2-vinyl 3-hydroxybenzopyran rings: total syntheses of teadenols A and B

Total syntheses of teadenols A and B, isolated from fermented tea, were accomplished in a highly stereocontrolled manner.