Extracts of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Seeds and Gastric Mucosal Cytoprotection

This chapter highlights the application of sesame seeds extracts in decreasing gastrointestinal injury. Sesame seed oil has been regarded as a daily nutritional supplement to increase cell resistance to lipid peroxidation (LPO). The antioxidants in sesame seed oil include sesamin, sesamolin, sesamol, and tocopherol. Sesamol, a lignan in sesame seed oil, is formed from sesamin and sesamolin via biotransformation, and is thought to be sesame seed oil's most potent antioxidant. Sesame seed oil reduces alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury by increasing mucosal GSH and nitrous oxide (NO) and therefore inhibits mucosal LPO. GSH and NO are the main substances that protect against gastric mucosal oxidative stress and damage. GSH, a circulating antioxidant, mediates gastric cytoprotection by scavenging free radicals during gastric oxidative stress. Inhibition of gastric mucosal oxidative stress and inflammation may be involved in sesamol's protection against long-term aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury. The combination of aspirin and sesamol may be a feasible approach for decreasing the risk of gastric mucosal damage in patients who receive long-term aspirin therapy. Current strategies for decreasing the aspirin-associated risk of gastric damage are focused on cyclooxygenase (COX) and nitric oxide. Daily consumption of a recommended dose of sesame seed oil or sesamol may be beneficial for protecting against gastric mucosal damage induced by alcohol or NSAIDs.