Sesamol is a natural

organic compound In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. Th ...

which is a component of sesame seeds and

sesame oil Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. The oil is one of the earliest-known crop-based oils. Worldwide mass modern production is limited due to the inefficient manual harvesting process required to extract the oil. ...

, with anti- inflammatory,

antioxidant Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. This can lead to polymerization and other chain reactions. They are frequently added to industrial products, such as fuels and lubrica ...

antidepressant Antidepressants are a class of medication used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic pain conditions, and to help manage addictions. Common Side effect, side-effects of antidepressants include Xerostomia, dry mouth, weig ...

and neuroprotective properties. It is a white crystalline solid that is a derivative of

phenol Phenol (also called carbolic acid) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it r ...

. It is sparingly soluble in water, but miscible with most oils. It can be produced by organic synthesis from heliotropine. Sesamol has been found to be an antioxidant that may prevent the spoilage of oils. It also may prevent the spoilage of oils by acting as an antifungal. It can be used in the synthesis of paroxetine. Sesamol's molecular targets and mechanism of action, at least for its antidepressant-like effects, is found to be through the brain

nerve growth factor Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor and neuropeptide primarily involved in the regulation of growth, maintenance, proliferation, and survival of certain target neurons. It is perhaps the prototypical growth factor, in that it was ...

(NGF) and endocannabinoid signalling under the regulatory drive of the CB1 receptors.

Alexander Shulgin Alexander Theodore "Sasha" Shulgin (June 17, 1925 – June 2, 2014) was an American medicinal chemist, biochemist, organic chemist, pharmacologist, psychopharmacologist, and author. He is credited with introducing 3,4-methylenedioxymetha ...

used sesamol in his book PiHKAL to make

MMDA-2 MMDA-2 (2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine) is a psychedelic drug of the amphetamine class. It is closely related to MMDA and MDA. Alexander Shulgin was likely the first to synthesize MMDA-2. In his book '' PiHKAL'', the dose is listed a ...

References

{{reflist Natural phenols Phenol antioxidants Benzodioxoles Sesame

See also

References