Changes in the Anti-Allergic Activities of Sesame by Bioconversion

Abstract

Sesame is an important oilseed crop, which has been used as a traditional health food to ameliorate the prevention of various diseases. We evaluated the changes in the anti-allergic activities of sesame by bioconversion. SDS-PAGE of non-fermented sesame proteins showed major allergen bands, while that of fermented sesame showed only a few protein bands. Additionally, we investigated the effectiveness of fermented sesame by bioconversion in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)- and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced HaCaT cells. In HaCaT cells, fermented sesame inhibited the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), thymus and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Moreover, fermented sesame inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Fermented sesame exerts anti-allergic effects by suppressing the expression of chemokines and cytokines via blockade of NF-κB and STAT1 activation.

Keywords: Sesamum indicum L.; anti-allergic; atopic dermatitis; bioconversion; skin inflammation.

Figure 1

SDS-PAGE analysis of non-fermented sesame (NS) and fermented sesame (FS) proteins. Abbreviations: M, molecular weight standard maker; Lane 1, non-fermented sesame; Lane 2, fermented sesame.

Figure 2

Effects of NS and FS extracts on cell viability in HaCaT cells. The cells were pre-incubated for 24 h, and cell viability was determined after treatment with NS and FS for 24 h (a); Cell viability after treatment with TNF-α/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL) in the presence of NS and FS (50, 100, 200 µg/mL) was also determined (b). Each bar represents the mean ± SD of triplicate determinations, n = 3; # p < 0.05 vs. vehicle controls; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment alone.

Figure 3

Effects of NS and FS extracts on TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA expression in HaCaT cells. RT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, ICAM-1, TARC, and MDC (a); The intensities of the PCR bands for IL-1β (b); IL-6 (c); ICAM-1 (d); TARC (e); MDC (f). Each bar represents the mean ± SD of triplicate determinations, n = 3; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. TNF-α /IFN-γ treatment alone. +, TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment; −, TNF-α/IFN-γ untreated.

Figure 3

Effects of NS and FS extracts on TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA expression in HaCaT cells. RT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, ICAM-1, TARC, and MDC (a); The intensities of the PCR bands for IL-1β (b); IL-6 (c); ICAM-1 (d); TARC (e); MDC (f). Each bar represents the mean ± SD of triplicate determinations, n = 3; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. TNF-α /IFN-γ treatment alone. +, TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment; −, TNF-α/IFN-γ untreated.

Figure 4

Effects of NS and FS extracts on TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced IL-1β, IL-6, TARC, and MDC production in HaCaT cells. The production of IL-1β (a); IL-6 (b); TARC (c); MDC (d) protein was measured by ELISA. Each bar represents the mean ± SD of triplicate determinations, n = 3; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment alone. +, TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment; −, TNF-α/IFN-γ untreated.

Figure 5

Effects of NS and FS extracts on TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced NF-κB and STAT1 activation in HaCaT cells. Total protein expression and phospho-NF-κB and IκB were examined by western blot (a); The relative protein level was calculated for the p-NF-κB/β-actin (b); The relative protein level was calculated for the IκB/β-actin (c); Total protein expression and phosphorylation of STAT1 were examined by western blot (d) and the relative protein level was calculated for p-STAT1/β-actin (e). Each bar represents the mean ± SD of triplicate determinations, n = 3; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment alone. +, TNF-α/IFN-γ treatment; −, TNF-α/IFN-γ untreated.