In resisting oxidation, Sesamin is an excellent performer. In one 2021 Journal Antioxidants research, Sesamin with a concentration of 50μM possessed a scavenging rate of 89.2% on DPPH free radicals, 37% higher than that of vitamin E. Its IC50 as a lipid peroxidation inhibitor was 0.28μM, 42% lower than quercetin, and significantly reduced liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (58.3% lower in rats). Japanese scientists found that ingestion of 40mg of Sesamin per day can elevate superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 2.3-fold and decrease the oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG by 41%.
The anti-inflammatory mechanism was confirmed by multiple pathways. Sesamin (dose 100mg/kg) inhibited the NF-κB pathway with 73% efficacy and decreased IL-6 levels by 62% in the model of rheumatoid arthritis in mice. Clinical trials (n=120) showed that with prolonged administration for 12 weeks in osteoarthritis patients, WOMAC pain score was enhanced by 39% and TNF-α level in synovial fluid reduced by 51%. In an intestinal inflammation model, Sesamin suppressed colon tissue MPO activity by 68% and accelerated repair 3.2 times faster.
Metabolic regulation reorganizes markers of health. After 8 weeks of diet with 0.5% Sesamin on high-fat fed rats, the serum total cholesterol was reduced by 43.2%, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) reduced by 57.8%, and area of liver steatosis reduced by 69%. In model research of diabetes, Sesamin (50mg/kg) decreased fasting blood sugar by 31.7% and improved the insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-IR) by 0.87 by activating AMPK pathway. Human trials (n=180) found that daily intake of 60mg of Sesamin reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome by 34%.
Cardiovascular protection effects were also reported. In hypertensive patients (n=150) given Sesamin (80mg/day) for 12 weeks, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring showed a decrease in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure by 14.2mmHg and increase in pulse wave conduction velocity (baPWV) by 318cm/s. The IC50 of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was 0.35μM, and activity was 78% of captopril. Analysis of atherosclerotic plaque revealed a reduction in plaque volume by 62% and macrophage infiltration by 55% in the Sesamin group (0.3% addition to feed).
Anti-obesity effect was validated by double-blind experiment. In obese subjects (BMI≥30, n=90) treated with 100mg of Sesamin daily for 12 weeks, visceral fat area decreased by 18.7cm² and waist circumference decreased by 6.3cm. Mechanism study demonstrated that Sesamin-induced UCP1 gene expression increased the effectiveness of brown adipose tissue’s heat generation by 2.8-fold and energy expenditure by 19%. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Sesamin (20μM) suppressed the activity of FAS, an essential lipogenesis enzyme, by 73%.
Breakthrough proof of neuroprotective action. Six months’ feeding of 0.2% Sesamin reduced escape latency by 48 seconds in the Morris water Maze test and lowered beta-amyloid deposition by 63 percent. IC50 for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase was 2.8μM, 35% lower than that of galantamine. Clinical trials (n=80) indicated that patients with mild cognitive impairment who received 80mg/day of Sesamin improved the MMSE score by 3.2 points and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level by 41% after 6 months.
Both safety and economy. The acute toxicity test (rats) showed an LD50 > 5g/kg, and the subchronic toxicity test (90 days) showed a NOAEL of 800mg/kg/day. World market analysis indicates that the prices of raw materials for Sesamin declined from 1,200/kg in 2018 to 680/kg in 2023 with a ratio of 83% cost advantage. The 2023 report by Grand View Research indicated that the size of the global market for Sesamin was $270 million, where 61% was founded on dietary supplement use and had an annual growth rate of 14.3%.
These scientific data confirm Sesamin has remarkable application value in prevention of chronic diseases and enhancement of metabolic health via multi-target mechanism of action, and the market size of Sesamin will exceed $380 million by 2025 as the core focal point in the functional ingredients area.