Effects of Sesamin in Animal Models of Obesity-Associated Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This article systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the effects of sesamin (Ses), the primary lignan in sesame seeds and oil, on animal models of obesity-related diseases, specifically non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The analysis of 17 animal studies indicates that Ses supplementation significantly improves metabolic parameters by reducing serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine transaminase, blood glucose levels, and body weight in various models, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities. Ses also appears to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to organ protection in these disease models. The findings support the potential of Ses as a therapeutic agent for obesity-related metabolic disorders, highlighting the need for well-designed human clinical trials to establish effective dosing and safety profiles.