Germinated Sesame Extract Improving Anxiety and Gut Inflammation in Salmonella Typhimurium-infected Mice

Abstract

Sesame is a widely cultivated crop in China, which contains a large amount of fat and protein, as well as dietary fiber, sesame lignans,γ- Aminobutyric acid(GABA) and other active nutrients. In recent years, many studies have pointed out that GABA and sesamol from sesamin could possess anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties, but their specific roles and mechanisms during foodborne pathogenic bacterial infections remain unexplored. We analyzed the extract obtained from ethanol-soaked germinated sesame and found that the contents of sesamol and GABA were 6 times and 4 times higher, respectively, compared to non-germinated sesame. Constructing an animal model by infecting mice with Salmonella typhimurium SL1344, and exploring the effects of germinating sesame extract, sesamol, and GABA on Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice. It was found that germinating sesame extract could reduce weight loss in Salmonella infected mice, and improve anxiety behavior in Salmonella infected mice. Germinating sesame extract also reduced Salmonella infection in mouse spleen, and increased colon villus length and mucin content in Salmonella infected mice, which could inhibit colitis factors, and increase acetic acid and propionic acid content in feces. Germinated sesame extract alleviated anxiety and protected the gut in mice infected with Salmonella. This study was aimed to provide a theoretical reference for dietary intervention to alleviate anxiety and protect the gut.

Keywords

• sesame
• germination
• germinated sesame extract
• salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium
• depressive anxiety
• intestinal inflammation