lignans and Hemolysis

Honokiol-loaded micelles were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation procedure when oligochitosan-pluronic conjugate (CS-F127) as carrier. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that honokiol existed in amorphous form when it was encapsulated into the micelles with 87.54 ± 1.52% of encapsulation efficiency (EE) and 12.51 ± 0.22% of drug loading (DL) capacity. The water-solubility was increased to 1.46 mg/mL, being >27-folds higher than pure honokiol. The in vitro release study demonstrated a slow and sustained ± release of honokiol from the drug-loaded micelles with pure honokiol as control. The in vitro antifungal and cellular uptake tests indicated that the drug-loaded micelles showed the same activity as pure honokiol against Candida albicans due to its good cellular uptake although it slowly released honokiol. The pharmacokinetic test results showed that the honokiol-loaded micelles increased area under curves and mean retention time of honokiol with low clearance rate and apparent distribution volume when compared with pure honokiol, showing its ability to improve honokiol's pharmacokinetic properties. The honokiol-loaded micelles also showed good bio-security to normal cells and main organs of mice. In conclusion, the CS-F127 conjugate should be a potential carrier for honokiol or other antifungal agents in the treatment of fungal infections.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biological Transport; Biphenyl Compounds; Candida albicans; Cell Line; Chitin; Chitosan; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Hemolysis; Lignans; Materials Testing; Micelles; Oligosaccharides; Poloxamer; Rats; Solubility; Solvents; Volatilization

Aeromonas hydrophila is a common zoonotic pathogen which can cause several infections both in human and animals, particular aquatic animals. Antibiotics have been widely used in the treatment of A. hydrophila infections, however, the development of resistance has limited the treatment for these infections. There is an urgent need for novel agents and strategies against these infections. Aerolysin, a pore-forming toxin secreted by most pathogenic A. hydrophila, is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of A. hydrophila infections. Therefore, aerolysin has been identified as a potential target for drug discovery. In this paper, we found that magnolol, a natural compound without anti -A. hydrophila activity, could significantly inhibit the hemolytic activity of A. hydrophila culture supernatants by inhibiting the transcription of the aerolysin encoding gene aerA at low concentrations. Furthermore, the survival assay showed that magnolol could significantly reduce the mortality induced by A. hydrophila infection in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Taken together, these findings provide a potent agent against A. hydrophila infections.

Topics: Aeromonas hydrophila; Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Biphenyl Compounds; Fish Diseases; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Hemolysis; Ictaluridae; Lignans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; Virulence Factors

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease complex caused by protozoa from the Leishmania genus, which presents a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations: cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral forms. The current treatments are unsatisfactory considering that few drugs are available and present some level of toxicity. Many lignans and neolignans have been used for the development of new antileishmania drugs. The capability in vitro of the neolignan 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (2,3-DBF), a commonly found constituent of propolis and other plants, to inhibit the growth of promastigote and macrophage-internalized amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis was investigated. The cytotoxicity of this compound was assessed by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test in BALB/c murine macrophages and human erythrocyte lysis assay. The 2,3-DBF was active against promastigote (IC

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Benzofurans; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydroxylation; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Leishmania; Lignans; Lysosomes; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nitric Oxide; Osmolar Concentration; Phagocytosis

This study analyzes the antifungal properties of (-)-nortrachelogenin and elucidates its mode of action against pathogenic fungi. We performed susceptibility tests against several pathogenic fungi and verified the absence of hemolysis against human erythrocytes. Its antifungal activity increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to intracellular stress and increased concentrations of both intracellular and extracellular trehalose without causing hemolysis. In addition, a cell wall regeneration study indicated its action on the cytoplasmic membrane. A cell surface study using 3,3(')-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiSC3(5)] and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) demonstrated dissipation of the cytoplasmic membrane at high concentrations. Our study revealed a disturbance in the membrane at higher concentrations and externalization of phosphatidylserine in a dose-dependent manner, affecting other intracellular responses. Furthermore, we investigated the late stage of apoptosis using TUNEL and 4('),6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) assays. (-)-Nortrachelogenin-treated cells underwent apoptosis which was triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction via depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, release of cytochrome c and calcium ion signaling, resulting in the activation of metacaspases. Different concentrations of (-)-nortrachelogenin induced membrane disruption and caspase-dependent apoptosis.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Apoptosis; Candida albicans; Caprifoliaceae; Cell Membrane; Erythrocytes; Furans; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbial Viability

Nine new lignans (1-8, 13) and five known ones (9-12, 14) have been isolated from the roots of Schisandra sphenanthera and were tested for their capacity to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-Picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Of these lignans tested, compounds 1, 7, 8 and 13 exhibited noteworthy antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 92, 115, 35 and 48 μg/mL, respectively. The anti-oxidative haemolysis of human red blood cells (RBCs) activity of the most active compound 8, which is similar to that of vitamin C, was evaluated.

Topics: Erythrocytes; Free Radical Scavengers; Hemolysis; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Lignans; Molecular Structure; Plant Roots; Schisandra

Glochidioboside was obtained from Sambucus williamsii and its biological effect has not been reported. Its antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi and the mode of action involved in its effect were examined. Glochidioboside exerted antifungal effect with almost no hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes. To understand its antifungal mechanisms, membrane studies were done. Using two dyes, 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiSC3(5)] and propidium iodide, membrane depolarization and permeabilization by glochidioboside were confirmed. Furthermore, the membrane-active mechanism was proven by synthesizing a model membrane, calcein-encapsulating large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), and also by observing the influx of different sized fluorescent dyes, such as calcein, FD4 and FD10, into the fungal cells. The membrane-active action was pore-forming action with radii between 1.4 and 2.3 nm. Finally, three dimensional (3D) flow cytometric analysis showed the shrinkage of the fungal cells from the membrane damage. In conclusion, this study suggests that glochidioboside exerts an antifungal activity through a membrane-disruptive mechanism.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cell Membrane Permeability; Glucosides; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Membrane Potentials; Phytochemicals; Plants, Medicinal; Sambucus

In this study, we isolated (-)-olivil-9'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (OLI9G), a phytochemical from the stem bark of Sambucus williamsii, and investigated the antifungal mechanism of OLI9G against Candida albicans. First of all, the antifungal susceptibility testing and hemolysis assay showed that OLI9G exerted a potent activity without hemolysis compared to the activity of amphotericin B. To investigate the mechanism of action of OLI9G, we first examined membrane depolarization using cyanine dye, 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide (diSC35). The results showed that OLI9G significantly changed the fungal membrane potential. To further understand this activity on the membrane, we did the propidium iodide (PI) influx assay. From the results, OLI9G caused membrane permeabilization in the fungal membrane, and the three dimensional (3D) flow cytometric contour plot from the PI influx assay further showed that the cells had shrunk due to the membrane damage. Finally, the membrane-active mechanism of OLI9G was confirmed by synthesizing a model membrane, calcein-encapsulating large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs). The calcein leakage showed the membrane-disruptive effects caused by direct action of OLI9G. In conclusion, the current study suggests that OLI9G exerts its antifungal activity through a membrane-disruptive action.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Cell Membrane; Cells, Cultured; Erythrocytes; Flow Cytometry; Fluoresceins; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Membrane Potentials; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sambucus; Unilamellar Liposomes

Honokiol ((3,5-di-(2-propenyl)-1,1-biphenyl-2,2-diol), a component of Magnolia officinalis, stimulates apoptosis and is thus considered for the treatment of malignancy. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, a suicidal death characterized by cell shrinkage and by breakdown of cell membrane phosphatidylserine asymmetry with phosphatidylserine-exposure at the erythrocyte surface. Eryptosis may be triggered following increase of cytosolic Ca(2+)-activity ([Ca(2+)]i). The present study explored, whether honokiol elicits eryptosis. Cell volume has been estimated from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine-exposure from annexin V binding, hemolysis from hemoglobin release, [Ca(2+)]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, and ceramide from fluorescent antibodies. As a result, a 48 h exposure to honokiol was followed by a slight but significant increase of [Ca(2+)]i (15 μM), significant decrease of forward scatter (5 μM), significant increase of annexin-V-binding (5 μM) and significant increase of ceramide formation (15 μM). Honokiol further induced slight, but significant hemolysis. Honokiol (15 μM) induced annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abrogated in the nominal absence of extracellular Ca(2+). In conclusion, honokiol triggers suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, an effect at least in part due to stimulation of Ca(2+) entry and ceramide formation.

Topics: Biphenyl Compounds; Calcium; Cell Death; Cell Size; Cells, Cultured; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Phosphatidylserines

Lariciresinol is an enterolignan precursor isolated from the herb Sambucus williamsii, a folk medicinal plant used for its therapeutic properties. In this study, the antifungal properties and mode of action of lariciresinol were investigated. Lariciresinol displays potent antifungal properties against several human pathogenic fungal strains without hemolytic effects on human erythrocytes. To understand the antifungal mechanism of action of lariciresinol, the membrane interactions of lariciresinol were examined. Fluorescence analysis using the membrane probe 3,3'-diethylthio-dicarbocyanine iodide (DiSC(3)-5) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), as well as a flow cytometric analysis with propidium iodide (PI), a membrane-impermeable dye, indicated that lariciresinol was associated with lipid bilayers and induced membrane permeabilization. Therefore, the present study suggests that lariciresinol possesses fungicidal activities by disrupting the fungal plasma membrane and therapeutic potential as a novel antifungal agent for the treatment of fungal infectious diseases in humans.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Benzothiazoles; Candida albicans; Carbocyanines; Cell Membrane; Cells, Cultured; Diphenylhexatriene; Erythrocytes; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Dyes; Furans; Hemolysis; Hemolytic Agents; Humans; Lignans; Propidium; Sambucus

Honokiol (HK) shows potential application in cancer treatment, but its poor water solubility restricts clinical application greatly. In this paper, monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) (MPEG-PLA) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and processed into nanoparticle for honokiol delivery. Chemical structure of the synthesized polymer was confirmed by (1)H NMR, and its molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Honokiol loaded MPEG-PLA nanoparticles were prepared by solvent extract method. And particle size distribution, morphology, drug loading, drug release profile and anticancer activity in vitro were studied in detail. The described honokiol loaded MPEG-PLA nanoparticles in this paper might be a novel formulation for honokiol delivery.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Chromatography, Gel; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Carriers; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Kinetics; Lignans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Structure; Molecular Weight; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Ovarian Neoplasms; Particle Size; Polyesters; Polyethylene Glycols; Solubility; Solvents; Surface Properties; Technology, Pharmaceutical

In this study we investigated the antimicrobial activity of magnolol on Staphylococcus aureus. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of magnolol against 31 S. aureus strains ranged from 4-32 microg/mL. In addition, hemolysin assays, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR were performed to investigate the effect of magnolol on alpha-toxin secretion by both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The results indicated that sub-inhibitory concentrations of magnolol dose-dependently inhibited the transcription of hla (the gene encoding alpha-toxin) in S. aureus, resulting in a reduction of alpha-toxin secretion and, thus, hemolytic activities.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Biphenyl Compounds; Blotting, Western; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Lignans; Rabbits; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Staphylococcus aureus

Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) is one of the drug efflux pumps mediating multidrug resistance in several cancer types. Efficient nontoxic inhibitors of MRP1-mediated transport are sought to potentially sensitise cancer cells to anticancer drugs. This study examined the potency of a series of plant lignans and norlignans of various structures to inhibit MRP1-mediated transport from human erythrocytes. The occurrence of MRP1 in the human erythrocyte membrane makes this cell a useful model in searching for efficient MRP1inhibitors.. The inhibition of 2',7'-bis-(carboxypropyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCPCF) transport from human erythrocytes was measured fluorymetrically. In order to study possible membrane-perturbing effects of lignans and norlignans, the potency of these compounds to induce haemolysis, erythrocyte shape change, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in the external layer of the erythrocyte membrane was examined.. Nine compounds (six norlignans and three lignans) of the fourteen that were tested inhibited BCPCF transport from human erythrocytes. The most efficient inhibitor, the norlignan coded L1, had IC(50)=50 μM. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that the strongest inhibitors were found among lignans and norlignans bearing a carbonyl function at position C-9. The highly oxidised structures and the presence of an ionisable group such as the carboxylic acid function enhance activity. All compounds that significantly decreased BCPCF transport were non-haemolytic, did not cause PS exposure and did not have any effect on erythrocyte shapes up to 200 μM.. Lignans and norlignans can inhibit MRP1-mediated transport from human erythrocytes and should be further investigated as possible agents reversing multidrug resistance.

Topics: Biological Transport; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Erythrocytes; Fluoresceins; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins; Phosphatidylserines

In this article, poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC) nanoparticles were successfully prepared for honokiol delivery in vitro. Blank or honokiol loaded PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles were prepared in moderate condition by solvent diffusion method without using any surfactants. The prepared blank PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles are mono-dispersed and smaller than 200 nm. The particle size increased with increase in polymer concentration and oil-water (O/W) ratio. The prepared PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles (40 mg/mL, ca. 106 nm) did not induce hemolysis in vitro. And the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) of it (48 h) on HEK293 cells was higher than 5 mg/mL. Honokiol could be efficiently loaded into PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles and released from these nanoparticles in an extended period in vitro. After honokiol (HK) was entrapped into PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles, the particle size increased with the increase in HK/PCEC mass ratio in feed, and the encapsulated honokiol retained potent anticancer activity in vitro. The PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticle was suitable for honokiol delivery, and such honokiol loaded PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticle was a novel honokiol formulation.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Carriers; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Erythrocytes; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Nanoparticles; Ovarian Neoplasms; Particle Size; Polyesters; Polyethylene Glycols; Rabbits; Solvents

The oil of tea seed (Camellia oleifera Abel.) is used extensively in China as cooking oil. The objectives of this study were to investigate the antioxidant activity of tea seed oil and its active compounds. Of the five solvent extracts, methanol extract of tea seed oil exhibited the highest yield and the strongest antioxidant activity as determined by DPPH scavenging activity and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Two peaks separated from the methanol extract by HPLC contributed the most significant antioxidant activity. These two peaks were further identified as sesamin and a novel compound: 2,5-bis-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-tetrahydro-furo [3,4-d][1,3]dioxine (named compound B) by UV absorption and characterized by MS, IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR techniques. Sesamin and compound B decreased H2O2-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species in red blood cells (RBCs), inhibited RBCs hemolysis induced by AAPH, and increased the lag time of conjugated dienes formation in human low-density lipoprotein. The results indicate that both compounds isolated from tea seed oil exhibit remarkable antioxidant activity. Apart from the traditional pharmacological effects of Camellia oleifera, the oil of tea seed may also act as a prophylactic agent to prevent free radical related diseases.

Topics: Antioxidants; Camellia; Dioxoles; Hemolysis; Humans; Lignans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipoproteins, LDL; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Plant Oils; Reactive Oxygen Species; Seeds

The in vitro antiproliferative effects of 4 neolignans purified from the ethyl-acetate extract from leaves of Piper regnellii (MIQ.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) YUNCK against Trypanosoma cruzi were investigated. These isolated compounds were identified through spectral analyses of UV, EI-MS, 1H-, 13C-NMR, H-H COSY, gNOE, HETCOR, and HMBC. The compounds eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-6, and conocarpan showed considerable activity against epimastigote forms of T. cruzi, with 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50) of 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0 microg/ml respectively. After methylation, these compounds showed a lessened inhibitory activity to the growth of the protozoan, suggesting that loss of the hydroxyl group from their molecules reduces the activity. The compound eupomatenoid-3 showed lower activity than the hexane fraction. Eupomatenoid-5 was significantly more active than benznidazole, the antiparasitic drug of choice for treatment of Chagas' disease. The crude extract, hexane fraction, and eupomatenoid-5 caused no lysis in sheep blood at concentrations which inhibit the growth of epimastigote forms. The compound eupomatenoid-5 showed low cytotoxic effects against Vero cells. These results provide new perspectives on the development of novel drugs obtained from natural products with trypanocidal activity. However, the extracts and active compound isolated from P. regnellii var. pallescens should be further studied in animal models for in vivo efficacy.

Topics: Animals; Cell Survival; Chlorocebus aethiops; Hemolysis; Lignans; Piper; Plant Extracts; Sheep; Trypanocidal Agents; Trypanosoma cruzi; Vero Cells

We have previously reported that dietary sesamin and sesaminol, major lignans of sesame seed, elevate the alpha-tocopherol concentration and decrease the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration in the plasma and liver of rats. In this study, the effects of dietary sesamin and sesaminol on the lipid peroxidation in the plasma and tissues of rats fed docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) were examined. Male Wistar rats (4-wk-old) were divided into the following six experimental groups: control group, fed a basal diet: sesamin group, fed a diet with sesamin (2 g/kg); sesaminol group, fed a diet with sesaminol (2 g/kg); DHA group, fed a diet containing DHA (5 g/kg); DHA + sesamin group, fed a diet containing DHA with sesamin; and DHA + sesaminol group, fed a diet containing DHA with sesaminol. Each diet contained either 0.01 or 0.05 g D-alpha-tocopherol/kg, and the rats were fed the respective experimental diet for 5 wk. The dietary DHA elevated the TBARS concentration and also increased the red blood-cell hemolysis induced by the dialuric acid. The dietary sesamin and sesaminol lowered the TBARS concentrations and decreased the red blood hemolysis. The dietary sesamin and sesaminol elevated the alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the plasma, liver, and brain of the rats fed a diet with or without DHA. These results suggest that dietary sesame lignans decrease lipid peroxidation as a result of elevating the alpha-tocopherol concentration in rats fed DHA.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Antioxidants; Brain; Dioxoles; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Furans; Hemolysis; Lignans; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Male; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sesamum; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential nutrient for human health, but has extremely high oxidative susceptibility. We examined the suppressing effect of sesamin, a sesame seed lignan, on lipidperoxides in rats fed a low alpha-tocopherol and high DHA containing diet. Groups of rats were fed four experimental diets: low alpha-tocopherol (10 mg/kg diet) control diet, low alpha-tocopherol + 0.2% sesamin diet, low alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% DHA diet and low alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% DHA + 0.2% sesamin diet. TBARS concentrations in plasma and liver were significantly increased by DHA, but were completely suppressed by sesamin. Alpha-tocopherol concentrations in plasma and liver decreased by addition of DHA, but with sesamin recovered to the control level. The addition of DHA into the diets caused remarkable increases of DHA concentrations in plasma and liver lipids. Sesamin caused a significant increase of DHA concentrations in the triacylglycerol of plasma.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Dioxoles; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Drug Synergism; Hemolysis; Lignans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipid Peroxides; Liver; Rats; Triglycerides; Vitamin E

Honokiol and magnolol, neolignans in Magnolia obovata, have been evaluated as antioxidants. Microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(III)-ADP/NADPH and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(III)-ADP/NADH were inhibited by these compounds. These neolignans protected mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity against NADPH-induced peroxidative stress and protected red cells against oxidative haemolysis. The anti-oxidative activity of honokiol was more potent than that of magnolol. Neolignans in M. obovata were shown to be effective in protecting biological systems and functions against oxidative stress.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Biphenyl Compounds; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Lignans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Mitochondria, Liver; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Trees

Vitamin E activity of sesame seed, which contains only gamma-tocopherol, a compound that has vitamin E activity equal to only 6-16% that of alpha-tocopherol, was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, groups of rats were fed four diets: vitamin E-free control diet, alpha-tocopherol-containing diet, gamma-tocopherol-containing diet and sesame seed-containing diet. Changes in red blood cell hemolysis, plasma pyruvate kinase activity, and peroxides in plasma and liver, as indices of vitamin E activity, were examined. The sesame seed diet has high vitamin E activity, whereas this activity was low in the gamma-tocopherol diet. In plasma and liver, alpha-tocopherol was found in high concentration only in the alpha-tocopherol-fed group, and gamma-tocopherol was found in high concentration only in the sesame seed-fed group, with negligible amounts of gamma-tocopherol in liver of the gamma-tocopherol-fed group. In the second experiment, two diets containing sesame lignan (sesaminol or sesamin) and gamma-tocopherol were tested. Results in both of the sesame lignan-fed groups were comparable to those observed in the sesame seed-fed group in Experiment 1. These experiments indicate that gamma-tocopherol in sesame seed exerts vitamin E activity equal to that of alpha-tocopherol through a synergistic interaction with sesame seed lignans.

Topics: Animals; Diet; Dioxoles; Drug Synergism; Furans; Hemolysis; Lignans; Liver; Male; Peroxides; Pyruvate Kinase; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vitamin E