Efficacy and Safety of Sesame Oil Cake Extract on Memory Function Improvement: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Su-Jin Jung,Soog-Kyoung Han,Young-Chul Chung,Eun-Soo Jung,Seung-Ok Lee,Ki-Chan Ha,Yu-Kyung Park,Soo-Wan Chae,Hyang-Im Baek

doi:10.3390/nu13082606

Su-Jin Jung, Soog-Kyoung Han + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082606

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Abstract

The goal of treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is to reduce the existing clinical symptoms, delay the progression of cognitive impairment and prevent the progression to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). At present, there is no effective drug therapy for AD treatment. However, early intake of dietary supplements may be effective in alleviating and delaying the MCI. This study aims to evaluate the effects of sesame oil cake extract (SOCE) supplementation on cognitive function in aged 60 years or older adults with memory impairment. A total of 70 subjects received either SOCE (n = 35) or placebo (n = 35) for 12 weeks based on random 1:1 assignment to these two groups. Cognitive function was evaluated by a computerized neurocognitive function test (CNT), and changes in the concentrations of plasma amyloid β (Aβ) proteins and urine 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine) were investigated before and after the experiment. Verbal learning test index items of the CNT improved markedly in the SOCE group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, plasma amyloid-β (1–40) and amyloid-β (1–42) levels in the SOCE group decreased significantly compared to that in the placebo group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in urine 8-OHdG between the two groups (p > 0.05). Collectively, intake of SOCE for 12 weeks appears to have a beneficial effect on the verbal memory abilities and plasma β-amyloid levels of older adults with memory impairment.

Highlights

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a relatively broad clinical state with mild memory impairment and a precursor to dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) [1]
Of the MCI cases progress to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) after one year, while 30–50% of cases move to AD after five years [3]
This study was conducted according to the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) after reviewing the study and its approval by Jeonbuk National University Hospital Institutional Review Board (JUH IRB)

Summary

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a relatively broad clinical state with mild memory impairment and a precursor to dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) [1]. Risk increases with age and the risk is higher in men than in women [2]. Of the MCI cases progress to AD after one year, while 30–50% of cases move to AD after five years [3]. It is considered a much higher transition rate to AD than seen in individuals without MCI (1–2%) [4]. Neuropsychological symptoms and pathological changes accompany AD, and no effective treatment option is available. It is important to prevent and manage AD through early diagnosis at the MCI stage with no clinical symptoms [5,6]

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