Sesame seeds and Oil / HO-1 Cancer Research Results

Sesame, Sesame seeds and Oil: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Sesame (particularly sesame seeds and sesame oil) has been studied for its potential neuroprotective effects, including relevance to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Sesame (seeds/oil) — AD relevance: Preclinical literature (sesamin/sesamolin/sesamol and sesame oil) supports neuroprotection via antioxidant + anti-inflammatory mechanisms, with reported effects on amyloid toxicity/aggregation in models. Human AD-specific clinical evidence is limited.

Primary mechanisms (conceptual rank):
1) ↓ Oxidative stress (ROS ↓; lipid peroxidation ↓)
2) ↓ Neuroinflammation (NF-κB ↓; p38MAPK tone ↓; microglial activation ↓)
3) ↑ Neurotrophic/synaptic support (BDNF ↑ in some models; network resilience)
4) Aβ toxicity/aggregation ↓ (preclinical; model-dependent)

Bioavailability / PK relevance: Effects are typically chronic (weeks) and metabolite/remodeling driven.

Clinical evidence status: Predominantly preclinical for AD mechanisms; not established as disease-modifying in humans.

-Sesame seeds are rich in sesamin, sesamol, and sesaminol, lignans with strong antioxidant properties.
-Sesamol has been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and suppress NF-κB signaling
-may inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
-Sesamol may help inhibit Aβ aggregation
Mechanism	                Effect
↓ ROS (Oxidative stress)	Protects neurons from oxidative damage
↓ NF-κB	                        Reduces neuroinflammation
↓ AChE	                        Increases acetylcholine levels
↓ Aβ aggregation	        Limits amyloid plaque formation
↑ BDNF	                        Supports neurogenesis

Nutritional Richness
-Healthy fats: High in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (especially omega-6)
-Protein: A good plant-based protein source
-Minerals: Rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, and copper
-Vitamins: Contains B vitamins (especially B1, B3, B6), vitamin E

-High in calories and fats—consume in moderation

Sesame Seeds / Sesame Oil — AD / Neurodegeneration Pathway Map

RankPathway / AxisCellsTSFPrimary EffectNotes / Interpretation
1ROS / lipid peroxidation ↓P/R Reduced oxidative burden Core neuroprotective mechanism across sesamin/sesamol studies (oxidative injury models).
2Neuroinflammation (NF-κB; microglial activation) ↓R/G Lower inflammatory stress Microglial inhibition and reduced inflammatory signaling reported in neurodegeneration models.
3p38MAPK stress signaling ↓ (model-dependent)R/G Reduced stress-activated damage signaling Highlighted in sesame-oil AD rodent work as part of NF-κB/p38 coupling.
4BDNF / synaptic support ↑ (model-dependent)G Plasticity / resilience support Often presented as downstream of reduced inflammation/oxidative stress; typically requires sustained exposure.
5Aβ toxicity / aggregation ↓ (preclinical)G Reduced amyloid-associated injury Sesamin has reported anti-Aβ aggregation/toxicity effects in models; human biomarker confirmation limited.
6NRF2 axis ↔ / ↑ (context-dependent)R/G Stress-defense regulation Often inferred/secondary to antioxidant enzyme induction; not always directly measured.
7Ca²⁺ homeostasis / excitotoxic vulnerability ↔ / stabilized (indirect)P/R Excitotoxic buffering (supportive) Secondary to mitochondrial/redox support; treat as secondary unless explicit Ca²⁺ endpoints exist.
8Clinical Translation Constraint ↓ (constraint)— Preclinical-dominant evidence AD evidence is largely animal/cell-model based; dosing forms (oil vs isolated lignans) and human endpoints remain insufficient for disease-modifying claims.

TSF legend: P: 0–30 min; R: 30 min–3 hr; G: >3 hr
HO-1, HMOX1: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
(Also known as Hsp32 and HMOX1)
HO-1 is the common abbreviation for the protein (heme oxygenase‑1) produced by the HMOX1 gene.
HO-1 is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including the breakdown of heme, a toxic molecule. Research has shown that HO-1 is involved in the development and progression of cancer.
-widely regarded as having antioxidant and cytoprotective effects
-The overall activity of HO‑1 helps to reduce the pro‐oxidant load (by degrading free heme, a pro‑oxidant) and to generate molecules (like bilirubin) that can protect cells from oxidative damage

Studies have found that HO-1 is overexpressed in various types of cancer, including lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer. The overexpression of HO-1 in cancer cells can contribute to their survival and proliferation by:
  Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation
  Promoting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels)
  Inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death)
  Enhancing cell migration and invasion
When HO-1 is at a normal level, it mainly exerts an antioxidant effect, and when it is excessively elevated, it causes an accumulation of iron ions.

A proper cellular level of HMOX1 plays an antioxidative function to protect cells from ROS toxicity. However, its overexpression has pro-oxidant effects to induce ferroptosis of cells, which is dependent on intracellular iron accumulation and increased ROS content upon excessive activation of HMOX1.

-Curcumin   Activates the Nrf2 pathway leading to HO‑1 induction; known for its anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
-Resveratrol  Induces HO‑1 via activation of SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling; exhibits antioxidant and cardioprotective properties.
-Quercetin   Activates Nrf2 and related antioxidant pathways; contributes to anti‑oxidative and anti‑inflammatory responses.
-EGCG     Promotes HO‑1 expression through activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway; also exhibits anti‑inflammatory and anticancer properties.
-Sulforaphane One of the most potent natural HO‑1 inducers; triggers Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulates a battery of phase II detoxifying enzymes.
-Luteolin    Induces HO‑1 via Nrf2 activation; may also exert anti‑inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in various cell models.
-Apigenin   Has been reported to induce HO‑1 expression partly via the MAPK and Nrf2 pathways; also known for anti‑inflammatory and anticancer activities.
Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
4190- Sesame,    Sesame Seeds: A Nutrient-Rich Superfood
- Review, NA, NA
*antiOx↑, *LDL↓, *Aβ↓, *TNF-α↓, *SOD↑, *SIRT1↑, *Catalase↑, *GSH↑, *MDA↓, *GSTs↑, *IL4↑, *GPx↑, *COX2↓, *PGE2↓, *NO↓, CDK2↑, COX2↑, MMP9↑, ICAM-1↓, *BDNF↑, *PPARγ↑, *AChE↓, *Inflam↓, *HO-1↑, *NF-kB↓, *ROS↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 1 of 1

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 1

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Cell Cycle & Senescence ⓘ

CDK2↑, 1,  

Migration ⓘ

MMP9↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

COX2↑, 1,   ICAM-1↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 4

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

antiOx↑, 1,   Catalase↑, 1,   GPx↑, 1,   GSH↑, 1,   GSTs↑, 1,   HO-1↑, 1,   MDA↓, 1,   ROS↓, 1,   SOD↑, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis ⓘ

LDL↓, 1,   PPARγ↑, 1,   SIRT1↑, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature ⓘ

NO↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

COX2↓, 1,   IL4↑, 1,   Inflam↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 1,   PGE2↓, 1,   TNF-α↓, 1,  

Synaptic & Neurotransmission ⓘ

AChE↓, 1,   BDNF↑, 1,  

Protein Aggregation ⓘ

Aβ↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 22

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: HO-1, HMOX1
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells

Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:365  Target#:597  State#:%  Dir#:%
  wNotes=0  sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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