Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan.
Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan.
Molecules. 2022 Apr 20;27(9):2661. doi: 10.3390/molecules27092661.
(1) Sesame oil aroma has stress-relieving properties, but there is little information on its effective use and active ingredients. (2) Methods: ICR male mice were housed under water-immersion stress for 24 h. Then, the scent of sesame oil or a typical ingredient was inhaled to the stress groups for 30, 60, or 90 min. We investigated the effects of sesame oil aroma on mice behavior and the expression of the dual specificity phosphatase 1 () gene, a candidate stress marker gene in the brain. (3) Results: In an elevated plus-maze test, the rate of entering into the open arm of a maze and the staying time were increased to a maximum after 60 min of inhalation, but these effects decreased 90 min after inhalation. As for the single component, anxiolytic effects were observed in the 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol group, but the effect was weakened in the furfuryl mercaptan group. The expression levels of in the hippocampus and striatum were significantly decreased in 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol groups. (4) Conclusions: We clarified the active ingredients and optimal concentrations of sesame oil for its sedative effect. In particular, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol significantly suppressed the stress-induced changes in the expression of , which are strong anti-stress agents. Our results suggest that these molecules may be powerful anti-stress agents.
（1）芝麻油香气具有缓解压力的特性，但关于其有效使用和有效成分的信息却很少。（2）方法：将 ICR 雄性小鼠置于水中浸泡应激 24 h。然后，将芝麻油或典型成分的气味吸入应激组 30、60 或 90 min。我们研究了芝麻油香气对小鼠行为和双特异性磷酸酶 1()基因表达的影响，该基因是大脑中候选应激标记基因。（3）结果：在高架十字迷宫测试中，进入迷宫开阔臂的比率和停留时间在吸入 60 min 后增加到最大值，但在吸入 90 min 后这些效果下降。对于单一成分，在 2,5-二甲基吡嗪和 2-甲氧基苯酚组中观察到抗焦虑作用，但在呋喃硫醇组中作用减弱。在海马体和纹状体中，2,5-二甲基吡嗪和 2-甲氧基苯酚组中的基因表达水平显著降低。（4）结论：我们阐明了芝麻油产生镇静作用的活性成分和最佳浓度。特别是 2,5-二甲基吡嗪和 2-甲氧基苯酚显著抑制了应激引起的基因表达变化，它们是强烈的抗应激剂。我们的研究结果表明，这些分子可能是强大的抗应激剂。
