The Effect of Sesamin on Human Serum Lipids

Abstract

Objectives : High serum cholesterol is one of the major risk factors of coronary artery disease. We investigated the lipid-towering property and the side effects of sesamin, an unsaturated fatty add extracted from sesame oil, for the primary prevention of coronary artery disease. Methods : The 37 patients (20 mates and 17 females) with hyperlipidemia, ages ranging from 22 years to 70 years old (48±12), who did not have atherosderotic diseases except essential hypertension were given three capsules of sesamin once daily for 6 weeks. The lipid profile of the patients were examined before and after sesamin treatment, and the patients were grouped according to the presence or abscence of hypertension, smoking habit and obesity. Result : Compared with pretreatment, the total cholesterol level of sesamin treated group decreased significantly (254.2±29.6 versus 241.6 34.0 ㎎/dl, p< 0.05). The level of LDL-cholesterol (162.6±24.3 versus 156.6±32.8 ㎎/dl)HDL- cholesterol (47.5±10.0 versus 47.0±8.7 ㎎/dl) and triglyceride (196.5±95.4 versus 179.3±96.7 ㎎/dl) and the ratio of LDL/HDL- cholesterol (3.6±0.9 versus 3.4±0.9) were not significantly different. The effect of cholesterol lowering property of sesamin was predominant in hypertensive, non- smoking and obese group (P< 0.05 vs pretreatment). The laboratory tests including complete blood cell counts, serum transaminases, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and blood glucose did not change significantly. Conclusion : The lipid lowering effect of sesamin was statistically significant on the total cholesterol particularly with obese, non-smoking and hypertensive patients. There was no significant side effect during sesamin administration. Therefore, three capsules of sesamin as a single daily dose were effective in lowering total cholesterol and safe to administer in patients with hyperlipidemia.