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Effects of Sesame Consumption on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

  • 2021-11-01
  • Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM 2021
    • Shabnam Rafiee
    • Roghaye Faryabi
    • Alireza Yargholi
    • Mohammad Ali Zareian
    • Jessie Hawkins
    • Nitin Shivappa
    • Laila Shirbeigi
    • Laila Shirbeigi

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 310
Population
310 participants (157 intervention and 153 control)
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs, searching databases through August 2020, random-effects model, WMD with 95% CI, Cochrane's Q and I-squared tests

Objectives

Existing evidence produces conflicting findings regarding the effect of sesame intake on inflammatory biomarkers; this knowledge gap has yet to be met through systematic review and meta-analysis. This meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effects of sesame consumption on markers of inflammation in humans.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched through August 2020 to identify relevant papers for inclusion. Using the random-effects model, data were evaluated as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cochrane's Q and I-squared (I2) tests were used to identify within-studies heterogeneity.

Results

Seven RCTs with 310 participants (157 intervention and 153 control) were included in the meta-analysis. Sesame consumption reduced serum level interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD - 0.90; 95% CI (-1.71, -0.09), I2 = 80.4%) compared to the control group. However, sesame intake had no significant effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis identified a reduction in serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentration among studies with participants who had a higher level of these biomarkers at baseline, those which used sesamin capsules, and those with a bigger sample size, those conducted in Asia, and studies on females.

Conclusion

Sesame consumption reduced serum levels of IL-6 but did not affect CRP and TNF-α in humans. Additional trials should be conducted utilizing a larger and longer treatment duration, along with studies using different sesame formulations (capsule, oil, and seed) and conducting on participants with varied health conditions.

Research Insights

  • Sesame→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

    However, sesame intake had no significant effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) ... compared to the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Sesame→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels

    Sesame consumption reduced serum level interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD - 0.90; 95% CI (-1.71, -0.09), I2 = 80.4%) compared to the control group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Sesame→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

    However, sesame intake had no significant effects on ... tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) compared to the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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