Sesamin contained in sesame seeds is expected to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and has been used for a long time for the purpose of maintaining and improving health.When ingested into the body, it is metabolized in the liver and converted into an active ingredient to exert its effect, but the detailed mechanism has not been clarified.

　In this study, in order to clarify the unknown biological control mechanism by sesamin, we conducted a comprehensive search for proteins that selectively bind to sesamin-related metabolites by making full use of our unique drug receptor search technology.As a result, annexin A1 (hereinafter referred to as ANX A1) having an anti-inflammatory function was identified as a binding protein of the metabolite SC1 of sesamin.

　It was found that SC1 has a high affinity for the activity control region of ANX A1 and specifically binds to ANX A1.It was also found that the site involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of ANX A1 was converted to the active form and suppressed the expression of inflammatory substances such as inflammatory cytokines in immune cells.

　In fact, it was also found that administration of sesamin or SC1 showed anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in a liver disorder model.On the other hand, when administered in the ANX A1 deficient model, such effects were said to have disappeared, and it was also found that the anti-inflammatory effect of sesamin depends on ANX A1 activation.

　From the above, the mechanism of action that suppresses excessive inflammation in hepatitis and the like by ingesting sesamin and leads to improvement of symptoms has been clarified.This result is considered to contribute to the development of new applications of sesamin, such as prevention of aging-related diseases through suppression of chronic inflammation by ingestion of sesamin.

Paper information:[Npj Science of Food] Annexin A1 accounts for an anti-inflammatory binding target of sesamin metabolites