Sesame

Sesame/Drug Interactions:

  • AcetaminophenAcetaminophen: In rats, sesame protected against acetaminophen-induced acute oxidative hepatic damage (502).
  • AlcoholAlcohol: In rats, sesaminol, but not sesamin, abrogated an ethanol-induced increase in plasma IgA and IgM concentrations (503). In mice, sesamin improved aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities, and the concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and total bilirubin, caused by continuous inhalation of ethanol (504).
  • Anabolic steroidsAnabolic steroids: In rats, sesame oil administered to the small intestine affected the absorption of mepitiostane by the lymphatic system (331). During absorption of mepitiostane from the small intestine, oil affected the penetration and metabolism in epithelium cells and the partition between blood and lymph.
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In rats, sesame protected against acetaminophen-induced acute oxidative hepatic damage (502). In mice, a sesame seed extract significantly inhibited the writhing response induced by acetic acid in a dose-dependent manner comparable to that of ibuprofen (46). In humans, an ointment containing sesame oil, beta-sitosterol, berberine, and other plant ingredients produced an analgesic effect in patients with partial-thickness thermal burns (47).
  • Angiotensin II-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor blockers Angiotensin II-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor blockers: Based on in vitro study, sesame peptide powder exhibited angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity (299). Six peptide ACE inhibitors were isolated.
  • Antiacne agentsAntiacne agents: In human subjects with oily facial skin, a sebum control cream containing polyphenol-rich extract from saw palmetto, sesame seeds, and argan oil exhibited a high sebum-regulating efficacy without altering the number of active sebaceous glands (38).
  • Antianxiety drugsAntianxiety drugs: Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment with sesame oil has been used to reduce anxiety (109).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In vitro, sesame oil exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, and others (50; 51; 49; 48).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In patients with diabetes, sesame oil caused a decrease in plasma glucose, HbA1c, and cholesterol levels (25; 26; 23; 13). In diabetic mice, an extract from defatted sesame seed had a hypoglycemic effect (295). In experimentally induced diabetic rats, sesame oil significantly reduced blood glucose levels, decreased cholesterol levels, and improved antioxidant status (296; 297).
  • AntiemeticsAntiemetics: Dronabinol, found in sesame oil, has been used as an antiemetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy (132).
  • Antifungal agentsAntifungal agents: In vitro, compounds and extracts from sesame exhibited antifungal effects against Cladosporium fulvum, Mortierella alpine, Candida albicans, Mucor circinelloides, and others (52; 53; 54; 48; 55; 56).
  • Antihypertensive drugsAntihypertensive drugs: In humans, sesame oil and compounds found in sesame decreased blood pressure in most studies (25; 26; 23; 24; 22; 15; 505). In spontaneously hypertensive rats, sesame and its constituents attenuated an elevation in blood pressure (151; 152; 298; 299; 300; 301; 302; 303; 304; 305).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: Based on in vitro and animal study, sesamin may prevent the development of arthritis and inflammatory responses (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 58; 57; 506), although sesame supplementation did not result in significant changes in markers of systemic inflammation in human study (59; 15) or in an animal study (507).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In clinical trials, sesame decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B with elevated HDL cholesterol levels under some conditions (20; 25; 26; 23; 83; 306; 36), but not others (21; 497; 15). In animal study, sesame decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, with elevated HDL cholesterol levels under some conditions (182; 307; 308; 309; 310; 311; 312; 313; 314; 87) but not others (84; 87; 498; 499). There is an abundance of data from animal and in vitro study suggesting that sesame altered hepatic fatty acid metabolism, increasing the hepatic activity and mRNA levels of various fatty acid oxidation enzymes while decreasing the hepatic activity and mRNA abundance of lipogenic enzymes, resulting in decreased hepatic secretions of triglycerides, phospholipid, and cholesterol (508; 509; 499; 510; 511; 512; 498; 513; 514; 515; 516; 517; 515; 499).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: There is conflicting evidence from epidemiological and case-control studies as to whether sesame oil consumption reduced the risk of cancers (111; 112; 518). Sesame has reduced or prevented tumor growth in animal models (113; 8; 114; 115; 116; 118; 63; 119; 120; 121; 122; 121), although one animal study did not find this to be the case (519). In vitro, sesame induced growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells (56; 114; 123; 124; 125; 126; 127; 9).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame oil, in lieu of other edible oils, resulted in weight loss and reductions in body mass index (BMI) in hypertensive diabetic patients (26; 25). In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received a vegan diet consisting of unpolished rice gruel, juice of raw vegetables, soya bean curd, and sesame seeds, average body weight decreased by 5.1kg (36). In a study of wasted AIDS adults who took a chickpea sesame-based therapeutic food supplement with cotrimoxazole, there was an increase in body weight, BMI, and mid-upper arm circumference (30).
  • Antiplatelet agentsAntiplatelet agents: The existence of platelet-activating factor agonists and antagonists in sesame oil may protect against atherosclerosis (315). There is conflicting evidence from animal study as to whether sesame reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation (313; 520).
  • CisplatinCisplatin: In mice, sesame oil attenuated cisplatin-induced hepatic and renal injuries by inhibiting nitric oxide-associated lipid peroxidation without affecting the antitumor capacity exerted by cisplatin in mice with melanoma (521).
  • Cytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducersCytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducers: In animal study, sesamin and episesamin elevated levels of total cytochrome P450 enzymes and an induction of CYP1A and CYP2B (522; 93). In vitro, sesamin inhibited CYP2C9 (523) and CYP4F2 (524).
  • EstrogensEstrogens: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, found in sesame, was metabolized to enterodiol and, subsequently, enterolactone, which are biologically active mammalian enterolignans (134; 135). Other dietary enterolignan precursors found in sesame include lariciresinol, pinoresinol, syringaresinol, and sesamin. In rats supplied with a diet rich in sesame pericarp, there was a significant increase in the expression of ERbeta (but not ERalpha) in the prostate and uterus (136). Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame seed powder in healthy postmenopausal women resulted in increases in serum sex hormone-binding globulin and urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (83).
  • Fertility agentsFertility agents: Sesame oil has been given to rats via an intrauterine injection to stimulate decidualization (525; 526; 527; 528; 529; 530; 531; 532; 533; 534; 535; 536), and to study the effect of age and weight on deciduogenic ability (537; 538; 539). Sesame oil has been injected intraperitoneally to female mice prior to insemination to increase the number of deciduomata (540). Sesame oil-induced decidualization was accompanied by increased concentrations of progesterone receptors and decreased concentrations of estrogen receptors (541).
  • Gastric acid-reducing agents and antiulcer agentsGastric acid-reducing agents and antiulcer agents: In rats, sesame oil significantly decreased acidified ethanol-induced mucosal ulcer formation and luminal hemorrhage (542).
  • GentamicinGentamicin: A daily sesame oil supplement protected against gentamicin-induced renal injury in rats (543).
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: In animal study, sesame provided hepatoprotection against damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (544; 545; 504), acute iron intoxication (546), lipopolysaccharide (547; 548; 547; 90; 549; 550; 551; 552), cecal ligation and puncture (90; 553; 554; 555; 556), and ischemia-reperfusion injury (557).
  • IbuprofenIbuprofen: In mice, a sesame seed extract significantly inhibited the writhing response induced by acetic acid in a dose-dependent manner comparable to that of ibuprofen (46).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In animal study, sesame decreased splenic leukotriene B4 production, while sesamin increased the plasma PGE2 concentration. In rats, dietary sesamin and alpha-tocopherol in combination significantly reduced the production of leukotriene C4 in the lung, the splenic production of leukotriene B4, and the plasma histamine level, and significantly increased the production of IgA, IgG, and IgM by mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes, while the IgE level tended to be reduced (558; 503).
  • LaxativesLaxatives: In rats, sesame seed oil inhibited both stomach emptying and intestinal propulsion in a dose-related manner (330).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: There is evidence from animal study and experiments performed on cultured cells that sesame may protect against stroke (151; 152), Huntington's disease (138; 139), cerebral ischemia (130; 129; 130; 559; 560), Alzheimer's disease (42; 43; 561), Parkinson's disease (143; 144), and other chronic neurodegenerative diseases (141; 562; 563; 564; 44; 45). Sesame has been demonstrated to enhance memory (565) and induce neuronal differentiation and enhanced formation of synaptic connections (566).
  • Sedatives/hypnotics/anxiolyticsSedatives/hypnotics/anxiolytics: Infants massaged with sesame oil showed a significant increase in postmassage sleep (28). However, repeated sesame oil injections or gavage dosing were used to induce stress in animals (495; 496).
  • TamoxifenTamoxifen: In a mouse model of postmenaupause, sesame seed negatively interfered with tamoxifen in inducing regression of established MCF-7 tumor size but beneficially interacted with tamoxifen on bone mineral content, bone mineral density, and biomechanical strength in the femur and lumbar vertebrae (119; 120).
  • VasodilatorsVasodilators: In infants massaged with sesame oil, improvements in femoral artery blood velocity, diameter, and flow were observed (28). In humans, combined administration of sesamin with Schisandra chinensis berry improved blood fluidity (567). Sesame exerted a relaxant effect on isolated aortic smooth muscle (568; 569).
  • Wound-healing agentsWound-healing agents: In humans, an ointment containing sesame oil, beta-sitosterol, berberine, and other plant ingredients decreased the healing time in patients with partial-thickness thermal burns (47). In the excision and burn wound models in rats, a formulation of sesame seeds and sesame oil showed significant reduction in period of epithelization and wound contraction, and produced a significant increase in the breaking strength, dry weight, and hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue (570).

    • Sesame/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In rats, sesame protected against acetaminophen-induced acute oxidative hepatic damage (502). In mice, a sesame seed extract significantly inhibited the writhing response induced by acetic acid in a dose-dependent manner comparable to that of ibuprofen (46). In humans, an ointment containing sesame oil, beta-sitosterol, berberine, and other plant ingredients produced an analgesic effect in patients with partial-thickness thermal burns (47).
  • Antiacne herbs and supplementsAntiacne herbs and supplements: In human subjects with oily facial skin, a sebum control cream containing polyphenol-rich extract from saw palmetto, sesame seeds, and argan oil exhibited a high sebum-regulating efficacy without altering the number of active sebaceous glands (38).
  • Antianxiety herbs and supplementsAntianxiety herbs and supplements: Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment with sesame oil has been used to reduce anxiety (109).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In vitro, sesame oil exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, and others (50; 51; 49; 48).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: The existence of platelet-activating factor agonists and antagonists in sesame oil may protect against atherosclerosis (315). There is conflicting evidence from animal study as to whether sesame reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation (313; 520).
  • AntiemeticsAntiemetics: Dronabinol, found in sesame oil, has been used as an antiemetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy (132).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: In vitro, compounds and extracts from sesame exhibited antifungal effects against Cladosporium fulvum, Mortierella alpine, Candida albicans, Mucor circinelloides, and others (52; 53; 54; 48; 55; 56).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: Based on in vitro and animal study, sesamin may prevent the development of arthritis and inflammatory responses (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 58; 57; 506), although sesame supplementation did not result in significant changes in markers of systemic inflammation in human study (59; 15) or in an animal study (507).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In clinical trials, sesame decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B with elevated HDL cholesterol levels under some conditions (20; 25; 26; 23; 83; 306; 36), but not others (21; 497; 15). In animal study, sesame decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, with elevated HDL cholesterol levels under some conditions (182; 307; 308; 309; 310; 311; 312; 313; 314; 87) but not others (84; 87; 498; 499). There is an abundance of data from animal and in vitro study suggesting that sesame alters hepatic fatty acid metabolism, increasing the hepatic activity and mRNA levels of various fatty acid oxidation enzymes while decreasing the hepatic activity and mRNA abundance of lipogenic enzymes, resulting in decreased hepatic secretions of triglycerides, phospholipid, and cholesterol (508; 509; 499; 510; 511; 512; 498; 513; 514; 515; 516; 517; 515; 499).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: There is conflicting evidence from epidemiological and case-control studies as to whether sesame oil consumption reduced the risk of cancers (111; 112; 518). Sesame has reduced or prevented tumor growth in animal models (113; 8; 114; 115; 116; 118; 63; 119; 120; 121; 122; 121), although one animal study did not find this to be the case (519). In vitro, sesame induced growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells (56; 114; 123; 124; 125; 126; 127; 9).
  • Antiobesity herbs and supplementsAntiobesity herbs and supplements: Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame oil, in lieu of other edible oils, resulted in weight loss and reductions in body mass index (BMI) in hypertensive diabetic patients (26; 25). In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received a vegan diet consisting of unpolished rice gruel, juice of raw vegetables, soya bean curd, and sesame seeds, average body weight decreased by 5.1kg (36). In a study of wasted AIDS adults who took a chickpea sesame-based therapeutic food supplement with cotrimoxazole, there was an increase in body weight, BMI, and mid-upper arm circumference (30).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Sesame contains a number of antioxidants that exhibit radical-scavenging activity, such as sesamin, vitamin E, carotenoids, sesamolin, sesaminols, sesamol, sesaminol triglucoside, sesaminol diglucoside, and phenolic compounds (73; 74; 75; 76; 77; 78; 79; 80; 81). In human study, dietary sesame oil improved antioxidant status in several studies (26; 23; 24; 25; 83); however, the effect was not observed in another study (497). In animal study, sesame improved antioxidant status and scavenged free radicals (84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 60; 90; 91; 92; 93). Sesame also exhibited antioxidant activity in in vitro study (95; 96; 58; 97; 46; 98; 100; 101; 102).
  • Antiulcer herbs and supplementsAntiulcer herbs and supplements: In rats, sesame oil significantly decreased acidified ethanol-induced mucosal ulcer formation and luminal hemorrhage (542).
  • Beta-caroteneBeta-carotene: Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame oil, in lieu of other edible oils, has been shown to increase levels of beta-carotene in hypertensive patients (26).
  • Borage seed oilBorage seed oil: In rats, sesamin feeding suppressed a lipid-decreasing effect caused by borage oil (571).
  • CalciumCalcium: Based on clinical evidence, calcium from sesame seeds did not cause an acute response in calcium metabolism (572).
  • Conjugated linoleic acid(CLA)Conjugated linoleic acid(CLA): Based on animal evidence, sesamin, a lignan from sesame, in combination with CLA has been shown to reduce weights of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues (573).
  • Cytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducersCytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducers: In animal study, sesamin and episesamin elevated levels of total cytochrome P450 enzymes and an induction of CYP1A and CYP2B (522; 93). In vitro, sesamin inhibited CYP2C9 (523) and CYP4F2 (524).
  • Fertility herbs and supplementsFertility herbs and supplements: Sesame oil has been given to rats via an intrauterine injection to stimulate decidualization (525; 526; 527; 528; 529; 530; 531; 532; 533; 534; 535; 536), and to study the effect of age and weight on deciduogenic ability (537; 538; 539). Sesame oil has been injected intraperitoneally to female mice prior to insemination to increase the number of deciduomata (540). Sesame oil-induced decidualization was accompanied by increased concentrations of progesterone receptors and decreased concentrations of estrogen receptors (541).
  • Fish oilFish oil: Dietary sesamin in combination with fish oil synergistically increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation (574; 575).
  • Gamma-linolenic acidGLA)Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA): According to secondary sources, sesame lignans may enhance the effects of GLA. Further information is not available.
  • Hepatotoxic herbsHepatotoxic herbs: In animal study, sesame provided hepatoprotection against damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (544; 545; 504), acute iron intoxication (546), lipopolysaccharide (547; 548; 547; 90; 549; 550; 551; 552), cecal ligation and puncture (90; 553; 554; 555; 556), and ischemia-reperfusion injury (557).
  • Herbs and supplements with potential immunomodulating activityHerbs and supplements with potential immunomodulating activity: In animal study, sesame decreased splenic leukotriene B4 production, while sesamin increased the plasma PGE2 concentration. In rats, dietary sesamin and alpha-tocopherol in combination significantly reduced the production of leukotriene C4 in the lung, the splenic production of leukotriene B4, and the plasma histamine level, and significantly increased the production of IgA, IgG, and IgM by mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes, while the IgE level tended to be reduced (558; 503).
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, found in sesame, was metabolized to enterodiol and, subsequently, enterolactone, which are biologically active mammalian enterolignans (134; 135). Other dietary enterolignan precursors found in sesame include lariciresinol, pinoresinol, syringaresinol, and sesamin. In rats supplied with a diet rich in sesame pericarp, there was a significant increase in the expression of ERbeta (but not ERalpha) in prostate and uterus (136). Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame seed powder in healthy postmenopausal women resulted in increases in serum sex hormone-binding globulin and urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (83).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In patients with diabetes, sesame oil caused a decrease in plasma glucose, HbA1c, and cholesterol levels (25; 26; 23; 13). In diabetic mice, an extract from defatted sesame seed had a hypoglycemic effect (295). In experimentally induced diabetic rats, sesame oil significantly reduced blood glucose levels, decreased cholesterol levels, and improved antioxidant status (296; 297).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: In humans, sesame oil and compounds found in sesame decreased blood pressure in most studies (25; 26; 23; 24; 22; 15; 505). In spontaneously hypertensive rats, sesame and its constituents attenuated an elevation in blood pressure (151; 152; 298; 299; 300; 301; 302; 303; 304; 305).
  • IronIron: In rats, the bioavailability of iron from sesame seeds was investigated, but further information is not available (576).
  • LaxativesLaxatives: In rats, sesame seed oil inhibited both stomach emptying and intestinal propulsion in a dose-related manner (330).
  • Linseed oilLinseed oil: In rats, diets containing sesamin exerted anti-inflammatory effects that were augmented by concurrent consumption of linseed oil (62).
  • Neurologic herbs and supplementsNeurologic herbs and supplements: There is evidence from animal study and experiments performed on cultured cells that sesame may protect against stroke (151; 152), Huntington's disease (138; 139), cerebral ischemia (130; 129; 130; 559; 560), Alzheimer's disease (42; 43; 561), Parkinson's disease (143; 144), and other chronic neurodegenerative diseases (141; 562; 563; 564; 44; 45). Sesame has been demonstrated to enhance memory (565) and induce neuronal differentiation and enhanced formation of synaptic connections (566).
  • Sedative herbs and supplementsSedative herbs and supplements: Infants massaged with sesame oil showed a significant increase in postmassage sleep (28). However, repeated sesame oil injections or gavage dosing were used to induce stress in animals (495; 496).
  • Vasodilator herbs and supplementsVasodilator herbs and supplements: In infants massaged with sesame oil, improvements in femoral artery blood velocity, diameter, and flow were observed (28). In humans, combined administration of sesamin with Schisandra chinensis berry improved blood fluidity (567). Sesame exerted a relaxant effect on isolated aortic smooth muscle (568; 569).
  • Vitamin CVitamin C: In rats, dietary sesame seed and sesamin stimulated biosynthesis of ascorbic acid concentration in the liver and kidney as well as its urinary excretion (93). Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame oil, in lieu of other edible oils, has been shown to increase levels of vitamin C in hypertensive patients (26).
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: Sesame lignans acted synergistically with tocopherols to enhance vitamin E activity (5; 2; 6; 3; 7; 5; 82; 99). In human study, consumption of sesame increased levels of vitamin E (26; 497; 577; 578) and reduced the urinary excretion of co-administered gamma-tocopherol metabolites (579; 580; 82). One study found that sesame oil muffin consumption inhibited gamma-tocopherol metabolism in men but not in women (581). In animal study and in cell culture, sesame increased tocopherol bioavailability and bioactivity as well as decreasing excretion of tocopherol metabolites (582; 89; 583; 584; 585; 586; 587; 588; 589; 580; 590; 498; 591; 592; 593; 580). In rats given a cholesterol-enriched diet, alpha-tocopherol enhanced the hypocholesterolemic action of sesamin (594).
  • Wound-healing herbs and supplementsWound-healing herbs and supplements: In humans, an ointment containing sesame oil, beta-sitosterol, berberine, and other plant ingredients decreased the healing time in patients with partial-thickness thermal burns (47). In the excision and burn wound models in rats, a formulation of sesame seeds and sesame oil showed significant reduction in period of epithelization and wound contraction, and produced a significant increase in the breaking strength, dry weight, and hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue (570).

    • Sesame/Food Interactions:

  • Coconut oilCoconut oil: In rats, feeding sesame oil and coconut oil together resulted in less hyperlipidemia than feeding coconut oil alone (595). In rats, oils with balanced amounts of fatty acids obtained by blending coconut oil with rice bran oil and sesame oil lowered serum and liver total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to rats given coconut oil alone; the effects were enhanced by interesterification (596).
  • GarlicGarlic: In rats, dietary garlic oil extract to rats significantly counteracted hyperlipidemic and oxidant effects caused by sesame oil (595).
  • Rice bran oilRice bran oil: In rats, oils with balanced amounts of fatty acids obtained by blending coconut oil with rice bran oil and sesame oil lowered serum and liver total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to rats given coconut oil alone; the effects were enhanced by interesterification (596).
  • SaltSalt: Using sesame oil in place of other cooking oils in hypertensive diabetics, plasma sodium, potassium, and chloride levels were reduced (25; 26; 24).

    • Sesame/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In patients with diabetes, sesame oil caused a decrease in plasma glucose (25; 26; 23; 13). In diabetic mice, an extract from defatted sesame seed had a hypoglycemic effect (295). In experimentally induced diabetic rats, sesame oil significantly reduced blood glucose levels (296; 297).
  • Blood parametersBlood parameters: In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received a vegan diet consisting of unpolished rice gruel, juice of raw vegetables, soya bean curd, and sesame seeds, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and mean cell volume increased (36).
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: In humans, sesame oil and compounds found in sesame decreased blood pressure in most studies (25; 26; 23; 24; 22; 15; 505). In spontaneously hypertensive rats, sesame and its constituents attenuated an elevation in blood pressure (151; 152; 298; 299; 300; 301; 302; 303; 304; 305). In infants massaged with sesame oil, improvements in femoral artery blood velocity, diameter, and flow were observed (28). In humans, combined administration of sesamin with Schisandra chinensis berry improved blood fluidity (567). Sesame exerted a relaxant effect on isolated aortic smooth muscle (568; 569).
  • Body weightBody weight: Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame oil, in lieu of other edible oils, resulted in weight loss and reductions in body mass index (BMI) in hypertensive diabetic patients (26; 25). In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received a vegan diet consisting of unpolished rice gruel, juice of raw vegetables, soya bean curd and sesame seeds, average body weight decreased by 5.1kg (36). In a study of wasted AIDS adults that took a chickpea sesame-based therapeutic food supplement with cotrimoxazole, there was an increase in body weight, BMI, and mid-upper arm circumference (30).
  • Clotting panelClotting panel: Sesame oil contained platelet-activating factor agonists and antagonists (315).
  • Fatty acidsFatty acids: In rats, changes in the hepatic concentration of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and linolenic acid) were significantly reduced by their simultaneous administration with sesamin, whereas there was no such effect of sesamin for omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids; there was no significant difference in lymphatic absorption between EPA (omega-3) and AA (omega-6), irrespective of the presence of absence of sesamin (597). In rats, dietary sesame lignans promoted ketogenesis and reduced AA content and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the liver (598). They also reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) esterification into triglyceride; reduction of hepatic PUFA content may be caused by the effects of sesame lignans on PUFA degradation (oxidation) and esterification.
  • Lipid and lipoprotein levelsLipid and lipoprotein levels: In clinical trials, sesame decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B, with elevated HDL cholesterol levels under some conditions (20; 25; 26; 23; 83; 306; 36), but not others (21; 497; 15). In animal study, sesame decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, with elevated HDL cholesterol levels under some conditions (182; 307; 308; 309; 310; 311; 312; 313; 314; 87) but not others (84; 87; 498; 499). There is an abundance of data from animal and in vitro study that sesame alters hepatic fatty acid metabolism, increasing the hepatic activity and mRNA levels of various fatty acid oxidation enzymes while decreasing the hepatic activity and mRNA abundance of lipogenic enzymes, resulting in decreased hepatic secretions of triacylglycerol, phospholipid, and cholesterol (508; 509; 499; 510; 511; 512; 498; 513; 514; 515; 516; 517; 515; 499).
  • Plasma sodium and potassium levelsPlasma sodium and potassium levels: During sesame oil supplementation oil in place of other cooking oils in hypertensive diabetics, plasma sodium levels were reduced, and potassium and chloride levels were elevated (25; 26; 24).
  • Vitamin CVitamin C: In rats, dietary sesame seed and sesamin stimulated biosynthesis of ascorbic acid concentration in the liver and kidney as well as its urinary excretion (93). Based on clinical evidence, consumption of sesame oil, in lieu of other edible oils, has been shown to increase levels of vitamin C in hypertensive patients (26).
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: Sesame lignans acted synergistically with tocopherols to enhance vitamin E activity (5; 2; 6; 3; 7; 5; 82; 99). In human study, consumption of sesame increased levels of vitamin E (26; 497; 577; 578) and reduced the urinary excretion of co-administered gamma-tocopherol metabolites (579; 580; 82). One study found that sesame oil muffin consumption inhibited gamma-tocopherol metabolism in men but not in women (581). In animal study and in cell culture, sesame increased tocopherol bioavailability and bioactivity as well as decreasing excretion of tocopherol metabolites (582; 89; 583; 584; 585; 586; 587; 588; 589; 580; 590; 498; 591; 592; 593; 580). In rats given a cholesterol-enriched diet, alpha-tocopherol enhanced the hypocholesterolemic action of sesamin (594). In mice, sesamin elevated tocotrienol content in the skin (147).