It has also been demonstrated that sesamol is a well-known inhibitor of lipid peroxidation [1]. Human liver cancer (HepG2) cells can be successfully induced to undergo apoptosis by sesamol (0–1 mM) [2]. Sesamol causes both endogenous and extrinsic apoptosis and suppresses the growth of HepG2 cells [2]. Treatment with sesamol results in loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which leads to mitochondrial malfunction. PI3K Class III/Belin-1 pathway blockade by sesamol results in the inhibition of mitophagy and autophagy. Sesamol had no effect on the expression of the apoptosis signal Bax, but it did decrease the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Sesamol can activate tBid and caspase-8, which are implicated in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, and raise the expression of the Fas/FasL protein [2].

Treatment with sesamol for 35 days did not significantly affect body weight, but tumor volume was significantly inhibited (the volume inhibition rate of 200 mg/kg sesamol was 40.56% compared with the control group). However, the lower dose (100 mg/kg sesamol) only had a significant anti-tumor growth effect within 27 days after the first treatment [2]. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio in tumor tissue was also reduced. In addition, in the Sesamol treatment group, compared with the control group, the level of cell proliferation marker Ki76 was down-regulated and the level of apoptotic marker cleaved-caspase 3 was elevated. Sesamol can drastically suppress the expression of LC3 protein in a dose-dependent manner [2].

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
Sesamol, generally regarded as the main antioxidative component in sesame oil, can be generated from sesamolin by roasting sesame seed or bleaching sesame oil. This paper reports the bioavailability of sesamol in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Biological fluid was sampled following a dose of sesamol of 50 mg/kg by gastric gavage (p.o.) or by intravenous injection. The pharmacokinetic data of sesamol were calculated by noncompartmental model. The tissue distribution of sesamol (p.o., 100 mg/kg) in SD rats was also investigated. The concentration changes of sesamol were determined in various tissues and plasma within a 24 hr period after oral administration of sesamol. The results showed that the oral bioavailability of sesamol was 35.5 +/- 8.5%. Sesamol was found to be able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and go through hepatobiliary excretion. Sesamol conjugated metabolites were widely distributed in SD rat tissues, with the highest concentrations in the liver and kidneys and the lowest in the brain. It is postulated that sesamol is incorporated into the liver first and then transported to the other tissues (lung, kidneys, and brain). The major metabolites of sesamol distributed in the lung and kidney were glucuronide and sulfate.

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Metabolism / Metabolites
Sesamol (3,4-methylenedioxyphenol), a phenolic constituent in roasted sesame, was reported to exhibit various beneficial activities. To understand the metabolic transformation of sesamol in vivo, rats were given sesamol intravenously and orally. The blood samples were withdrawn via cardiopuncture at specific time points. The serum samples were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography method before and after hydrolysis with sulfatase and beta-glucuronidase. Our results indicated that following either intravenous or oral administration, sesamol declined rapidly and the sulfate/glucuronide of sesamol emerged instantaneously. The peak serum concentration and systemic exposure of sesamol were markedly lower than sesamol sulfate/glucuronide. Ex vivo evaluation revealed that sesamol exerted profoundly higher capability against 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride-induced hemolysis than the serum metabolites. In conclusion, sulfate and glucuronide of sesamol were the principle metabolites of sesamol in the bloodstream of rats. The conjugated metabolites of sesamol warrant more bioactivity investigations to understand the in vivo effect of sesamol.
This paper reports the bioavailability of sesamol in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats... Sesamol conjugated metabolites were widely distributed in SD rat tissues, with the highest concentrations in the liver and kidneys and the lowest in the brain. It is postulated that sesamol is incorporated into the liver first and then transported to the other tissues (lung, kidneys, and brain). The major metabolites of sesamol distributed in the lung and kidney were glucuronide and sulfate.

Toxicity Summary
IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Sesamol, generally regarded as the main antioxidative component in sesame oil, can be generated from sesamolin by roasting sesame seed or bleaching sesame oil. The content of sesamol is increased after heating oil at frying temperature for 1 to 2 hr. Sesamol possesses antioxidant, lipid lowering and antidepressant activities. It was tested as experimental therapy. HUMAN STUDIES: In patients with contact allergy to sesame oil, patch tests showed that 8 of the 13 patients were positive to sesamol. Sesamol demonstrated weak estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity when tested on human breast cancer cells. Sesamol could efficiently induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Oxidation product - tetramer of sesamol inhibited growth of human leukemia K562 cells. ANIMAL STUDIES: In mice, acute toxicological effects were observed at 2000 mg/kg, while no adverse effects observed at 300 mg/kg. The effects of 2000 mg/kg were manifested as severe histopathological changes in all organs (femur, spleen, gastrointestine, lungs, heart, kidney, liver, stomach and brain) and excessive DNA strand breaks occurred in femoral bone marrow cells and splenocytes. Sesamol at a dietary level of 2% induced squamous cell carcinomas in the forestomach of rats and mice, males being more susceptible than females. However, sesamol treatment led to 50% reduction in mouse skin papillomas at 20 weeks after promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. Sesamol also demonstrated protection against ionizing radiation and UV radiation in vivo and in vitro. Sesamol was shown to exhibit strong antimutagenic effects in the Ames tester strains TA100 and TA102. Mutagenicity was induced by the generation of oxygen radicals by tert-butylhydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide. Sesamol was also protective against CCl4 toxicity and acute hepatic injury following acetaminophen overdose. It demonstrated protective effects in experimental animal models of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and isoproterenol-induced myocardial infraction.

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Interactions
Sesamol, a nutritional component from sesame, possesses antioxidant, lipid lowering and antidepressant activities. Nonetheless, few studies report its effects on high-energy-dense diet-induced cognitive loss. The present research aimed to elucidate the action of sesamol on high-fat and high-fructose (HFFD) "western"-diet-induced central nervous system insulin resistance and learning and memory impairment, and further determined the possible underlying mechanism. 3 month-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups with/without sesamol in the drinking water (0.05%, w/v) and standard diet, HFFD, and HFFD with sesamol supplementation. Morris water maze tests demonstrated that sesamol improved HFFD-elicited learning and memory loss. Sesamol was also found to attenuate neuron damage in HFFD-fed mice. Importantly, sesamol treatment up-regulated brain insulin signaling by stimulating IRS-1/AKT as well as ERK/CREB/BDNF pathways; meanwhile it down-regulated neuronal death signaling GSK3beta and JNK. Moreover, sesamol also normalized mRNA expressions of neurotrophins including BDNF and NT-3, as well as expressions of mitochondrial metabolic and biogenesis related genes Sirt1 and PGC1a. Consistently, sesamol also reversed high-glucose-induced oxidized cellular status, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, insulin signaling inhibition and cell death in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Taken together, the current study proved that sesamol reduced western-diet-induced cognitive defects in a mouse model by inhibiting insulin resistance, normalizing mitochondrial function and cell redox status, and improving IRS/AKT cell surviving and energy metabolism regulating signaling. This compelling evidence indicated that sesamol is a potential nutritional supplement to prevent unhealthy-diet-induced learning and memory loss.
Ionizing radiation exposure is harmful and at high doses can lead to acute hematopoietic radiation syndrome. Therefore, agents that can protect hematopoietic system are important for development of radioprotector. Sesamol is a potential molecule for development of radioprotector due to its strong free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties. In the present study, sesamol was evaluated for its role in DNA damage and repair in hematopoietic system of gamma-irradiated CB57BL/6 mice and compared with amifostine. C57BL/6 male mice were administered with sesamol 20 mg/kg (i.p.) followed by 2 Gy whole body irradiation (WBI) at 30 min. Mice were sacrificed at 0.5, 3, 24 hr postirradiation; bone marrow, splenocytes, and peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated to measure DNA damages and repair using alkaline comet, gamma-H2AX and micronucleus assays. An increase in % of tail DNA was observed in all organs of WBI mice. Whereas in pre-administered sesamol reduced %DNA in tail (P=0.05). Sesamol has also reduced formation of radiation induced gamma-H2AX foci after 0.5 hr in these organs and further lowered to respective control values at 24 hr of WBI. Similar reduction of % DNA in tail and gamma-H2AX foci were observed with amifostine (P=0.05). Analysis of mnPCE frequency at 24 hr has revealed similar extent of protection by sesamol and amifostine. Interestingly, both sesamol and amifostine, alone and with radiation, also increased the granulocytes count significantly compared to the control (P=0.05). These findings suggest that sesamol has strong potential to protect hematopoietic system by lowering radiation induced DNA damages and can prevent acute hematopoietic syndrome in mice.
BACKGROUND: Sesamol, a component of sesame seed oil, exhibited significant antioxidant activity in a battery of in vitro and ex vivo tests including lipid peroxidation induced in rat liver homogenates. Latter established its potential for hepatoprotection. However, limited oral bioavailability, fast elimination (as conjugates) and tendency towards gastric irritation/toxicity (especially forestomach of rodents) may limit its usefulness. Presently, we packaged sesamol into solid lipid nanoparticles (S-SLNs) to enhance its biopharmaceutical performance and compared the efficacy with that of free sesamol and silymarin, a well established hepatoprotectant, against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in rats, post induction. A self recovery group in which no treatment was given was used to observe the self-healing capacity of liver. METHODS: S-SLNs prepared by microemulsification method were administered to rats post-treatment with CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight (BW) twice weekly for 2 weeks, followed by 1.5 mL/kg BW twice weekly for the subsequent 2 weeks). Liver damage and recovery on treatment was assessed in terms of histopathology, serum injury markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase), oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) and a pro-inflammatory response marker (tumor necrosis factor alpha). RESULT: S-SLNs (120.30 nm) at a dose of 8 mg/kg BW showed significantly better hepatoprotection than corresponding dose of free sesamol (FS; p < 0.001). Effects achieved with S-SLNs were comparable with silymarin (SILY), administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg BW. Self recovery group confirmed absence of regenerative capacity of hepatic tissue, post injury. CONCLUSION: Use of lipidic nanocarrier system for sesamol improved its efficiency to control hepatic injury. Enhanced effect is probably due to: a) improved oral bioavailability, b) controlled and prolonged effect of entrapped sesamol and iii) reduction in irritation and toxicity, if any, upon oral administration. S-SLNs may be considered as a therapeutic option for hepatic ailments as effectiveness post induction of liver injury, is demonstrated presently. /Sesamol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles/
Ionizing radiation causes free radical-mediated damage in cellular DNA. This damage is manifested as chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei (MN) in proliferating cells. Sesamol, present in sesame seeds, has the potential to scavenge free radicals; therefore, it can reduce radiation-induced cytogenetic damage in cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the radioprotective potential of sesamol in bone marrow cells of mice and related haematopoietic system against radiation-induced genotoxicity. A comparative study with melatonin was designed for assessing the radioprotective potential of sesamol. C57BL/6 mice were administered intraperitoneally with either sesamol or melatonin (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight) 30 min prior to 2-Gy whole-body irradiation (WBI) and sacrificed after 24 hr. Total chromosomal aberrations (TCA), MN and cell cycle analyses were performed using bone marrow cells. The comet assay was performed on bone marrow cells, splenocytes and lymphocytes. Blood was drawn to study hematological parameters. Prophylactic doses of sesamol (10 and 20 mg/kg) in irradiated mice reduced TCA and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte frequency in bone marrow cells by 57% and 50%, respectively, in comparison with radiation-only groups. Sesamol-reduced radiation-induced apoptosis and facilitated cell proliferation. In the comet assay, sesamol (20 mg/kg) treatment reduced radiation-induced comets (% DNA in tail) compared with radiation only (P < 0.05). Sesamol also increased granulocyte populations in peripheral blood similar to melatonin. Overall, the radioprotective efficacy of sesamol was found to be similar to that of melatonin. Sesamol treatment also showed recovery of relative spleen weight at 24 hr of WBI. The results strongly suggest the radioprotective efficacy of sesamol in the hematopoietic system of mice.
For more Interactions (Complete) data for Sesamol (39 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

[1]. Chemopreventive effect of resveratrol, sesamol, sesame oil and sunflower oil in the Epstein-Barrvirus early antigen activation assay and the mouse skin two-stage carcinogenesis. Pharmacol Res. 2002 Jun;45(6):499-505.

[2]. Sesamol Induces Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Apoptosis by Impairing MitochondrialFunction and Suppressing Autophagy. Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 4;7:45728.

Sesamol is a member of benzodioxoles.
Sesamol has been reported in Sesamum indicum with data available.
See also: Sesame Oil (part of).

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Therapeutic Uses
/EXPL THER/ Chronic Exposure or Carcinogenicity/ Excessive prostaglandin production by cyclooxygenase-2 in stromal and epithelial cells is a causative factor of colorectal carcinogenesis. Thus, compounds which inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activity in colon epithelial cells could be candidates for anti-carcinogenic agents. A cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activity in the human colon cancer cell line DLD-1 has been measured using a beta-galactosidase reporter gene system. Using this system, we demonstrated that the decrease in basal cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activities at 100 uM sesamol, one of the lignans in sesame seeds, was 50%. Other compounds in sesame seeds such as sesamin, sesamolin, ferulic acid, and syringic acid did not exhibit significant suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activity at up to 100 uM. In a following experiment, 6-week-old male Min mice, Apc-deficient mice, were divided into a non-treated and 500 ppm sesamol groups. At the age of 15 weeks, it was found that treatment with sesamol decreased the number of polyps in the middle part of small intestine to 66.1% of the untreated value. Moreover, sesamol suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 and cytosolic prostaglandin E2 synthase mRNA in the polyp parts. The present findings may demonstrate the novel anti-carcinogenetic property of sesamol, and imply that agents that can suppress cyclooxygenase-2 expression may be useful cancer chemopreventive agents.
/EXPL THER/ Increased oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity are the central and causal components in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMetS). The aim of the study was to determine the potential role of sesamol (a natural powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenol derivative of sesame oil) in chronic high-cholesterol/high-fat diet (HFD)-induced CMetS in rats and to explore the molecular mechanism driving this activity. Rats were fed with HFD (55% calorie from fat and 2% cholesterol) for 60 days to induce obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (IR), hepatic steatosis and hypertension. On the 30th day, rats with total cholesterol >150 mg/dL were considered hypercholesterolemic and administered sesamol 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg per day for the next 30 days. Sesamol treatment decreased IR, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, TNF-a, IL-6, leptin, resistin, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hepatic transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, along with normalization of adiponectin, nitric oxide and arterial pressures in a dose-dependent fashion. Increased TBARS, nitrotyrosine and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities were also amended in HFD rats. Similarly, sesamol normalized hepatic steatosis and ultrastructural pathological alteration in hepatocytes, although the effect was more pronounced at 8 mg/kg. Furthermore, hepatic PPARgamma, PPARa and e-NOS protein expressions were increased, whereas LXRa, SERBP-1c, P-JNK and NF-kappaB expression were decreased by sesamol treatment. These results suggest that sesamol attenuates oxidative stress, inflammation, IR, hepatic steatosis and hypertension in HFD-fed rats via modulating PPARgamma, NF-kappaB, P-JNK, PPARa, LXRa, SREBP-1c and e-NOS protein expressions, thereby preventing CMetS. Thus, the present study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of sesamol in alleviating CMetS.
/EXPL THER/ OBJECTIVE: Estrogen deprivation after menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress. The present study was designed to study the role of sesamol (3,4-methylenedioxyphenol), a phenolic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule, in oxidative stress-induced changes in three major affected organ systems, the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the skeletal system in ovariectomized rats, a widely used animal model of menopause. DESIGN: Animals were divided into eight different groups (n = 6-8). Five groups underwent ovariectomy; starting from the 2nd day of ovariectomy, three of these groups received sesamol (2, 4, 8 mg/kg) and the fourth group was administered a-tocopherol (100 mg/kg) orally for 7 weeks. The fifth ovariectomized group did not receive any drug treatment. Rats in the naive (non-operated) and sham-operated groups did not receive any drug treatment, while the eighth group consisted of naive animals which were treated for 7 weeks with only sesamol 8 mg/kg orally daily. After 7 weeks, animals were subjected to testing of behavioral paradigms (elevated plus maze and Morris water maze for assessment of anxiety and memory, respectively) 24 hr after the last dose. After behavioral studies, animals were sacrificed for various biochemical estimations. RESULT: Administration of sesamol (2, 4, 8 mg/kg orally) to ovariectomized rats for 7 weeks significantly and dose-dependently improved memory, attenuated anxiety, decreased oxidative stress in brain, improved the serum lipid profile and reduced serum tumor necrosis factor-a levels when compared with ovariectomized control rats. Similar protective effects were observed in the case of the skeletal system studies. Sesamol increased the bone ash content and the mechanical stress parameters in treated groups. CONCLUSION: The results emphasize the involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation in the development of ovariectomy-induced pathophysiological changes and point towards the therapeutic potential of sesamol in menopausal pathologies.
/EXPL THER/ The physicochemical nature of sesamol (logP 1.29; solubility 38.8 mg/mL) substantially enhances its tissue distribution, minimizing its brain delivery. Sesamol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (S-SLNs) with an average particle size of 122 nm and an entrapment efficiency of 75.9+/-2.91% were developed. Biochemical and behavioral paradigms clearly established the superiority of orally administered S-SLNs. The same was confirmed evidently by scintigraphic images of rabbits administered radiolabeled SLNs and confocal microscopy of brain sections of rats administered similarly prepared SLNs with a fluorescent marker. This study indicates the special importance of using phosphatidylcholine (as co-surfactant) in the preparation of SLNs for improving memory deficits. The aim of the present work was to develop sesamol as a therapeutic agent for central nervous system derangements.
For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for Sesamol (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

C7H6O3

138.1207

138.031

533-31-3

68289

White to light brown solid powder

1.4±0.1 g/cm3

274.0±29.0 °C at 760 mmHg

62-65 °C(lit.)

119.5±24.3 °C

0.0±0.6 mmHg at 25°C

1.609

1.52

1

3

0

10

126

0

LUSZGTFNYDARNI-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C7H6O3/c8-5-1-2-6-7(3-5)10-4-9-6/h1-3,8H,4H2

1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Note: Please store this product in a sealed and protected environment (e.g. under nitrogen), avoid exposure to moisture.

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

DMSO : ≥ 100 mg/mL (~724.01 mM)
Ethanol :≥ 100 mg/mL (~724.01 mM)
H2O : ≥ 50 mg/mL (~362.00 mM)

Solubility in Formulation 1: ≥ 10 mg/mL (72.40 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 40% PEG300 + 5% Tween80 + 45% Saline (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 100.0 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 400 μL PEG300 and mix evenly; then add 50 μL Tween-80 to the above solution and mix evenly; then add 450 μL normal saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL.
Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH₂ O to obtain a clear solution.

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Solubility in Formulation 2: ≥ 10 mg/mL (72.40 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline) (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 100.0 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of 20% SBE-β-CD physiological saline solution and mix evenly.
Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.

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Solubility in Formulation 3: ≥ 10 mg/mL (72.40 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% Corn Oil (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 100.0 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of corn oil and mix evenly.

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Solubility in Formulation 4: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (18.10 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% EtOH + 40% PEG300 + 5% Tween80 + 45% Saline (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 25.0 mg/mL clear EtOH stock solution to 400 μL of PEG300 and mix evenly; then add 50 μL of Tween-80 to the above solution and mix evenly; then add 450 μL of normal saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL.
Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH₂ O to obtain a clear solution.

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Solubility in Formulation 5: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (18.10 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% EtOH + 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline) (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 25.0 mg/mL clear EtOH stock solution to 900 μL of 20% SBE-β-CD physiological saline solution and mix evenly.
Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.

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Solubility in Formulation 6: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (18.10 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% EtOH + 90% Corn Oil (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 25.0 mg/mL clear EtOH stock solution to 900 μL of corn oil and mix evenly.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)