Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of the Nonlipid (Aqueous) Components of Sesame Oil: Potential Use in Atherosclerosis

Dietary intervention to prevent inflammation and atherosclerosis has been a major focus in recent years. We previously reported that sesame oil (SO) was effective in inhibiting atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein-receptor negative mice. We also noted that the levels of many proinflammatory markers were lower in the SO-treated animals. In this study we tested whether the non-lipid, aqueous components associated with SO would have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Polymerase chain reaction array data indicated that sesame oil aqueous extract (SOAE) was effective in reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) was also analyzed independently in cells pretreated with SOAE followed by inflammatory assault. Effect of SOAE on TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 and VCAM1 expression was also tested in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We observed that SOAE significantly reduced inflammatory markers in both macrophages and endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. SOAE was also effective in inhibiting LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in vivo at different concentrations. We also noted that in the presence of SOAE, transcription and translocation of NF-kappaB was suppressed. SOAE was also effective in inhibiting oxidation of lipoproteins in vitro. These results suggest the presence of potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in SOAE. Furthermore, SOAE differentially regulated expression of scavenger receptors and increased ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) mRNA expression by activating liver X receptors (LXRs), suggesting additional effects on lipid metabolism. Thus, SOAE appears multipotent and may serve as a valuable nonpharmacological agent in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.