胡麻若葉

Functional Sesame
Young sesame leaves cultivated on black volcanic
ashes from the Satsuma Peninsula and grown in
its temperate climate.

Young sesame leaves

Young sesame leaves which contain acteoside.
Over a period of approximately 100 days starting in June when sesame seeding starts,
sesame plants grow to be more than one meter high and have an abundance of fresh green leaves.
It has recently been discovered that these sesame leaves have strong oxidation properties anda number of other health promoting benefits that cannot be found in other green juices.
At present, several tons of young sesame leaves are carefully being cultivated every year in
Kagoshima and Shimane prefectures without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

n Comparison of components

between young sesame leaves
and other green juices

Young sesame leaves are rich in minerals
and nutrients, especially in iron, folic acid,potassium, calcium, magnesium, and βcarotene.
In addition, radical oxygen scavenging activities
by SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) were confirmed
in young sesame leaves.

Table comparing the components of young sesame leaf
powders to other powders（Values shown below are per 100 grams except for the value of super-oxide scavenging activities）

Young sesame leaf
powders

Barley young leaf
powdersIron

16.6 mg

20.6 mg

5.5 mgFolic acid

760 μg290 μg540 μgCalcium

1360 mg

429 mg1530 mg

Potassium

4900 mg1430 mg2170 mg

Magnesium

477 mg

142 mg

248 mgVitamin A (amount of retinol)

187 μg72 μg

206 μgα-carotene

40 μg

Not detected

Not detected

β-carotene

2220 μg

864 μg2470 μg

Riboflavin (vitamin B)

1.40 mg0.85 mg

0.81 mg

Analysis test items
Moisture

5.4 g

4.5 g

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

4.2 mg

3.4 mg

8.7 mgLutein11.3 mg9.17 mg9.25 mg1500 points /g

80 points/g

630 points/g

1300 mg

600 mg

860 mgSuperoxide scavenging activity
Polyphenol

2

8.0 g

Kale powders

Interview with Mr. Omagari, President
It takes about 40 minutes by ferry, passing Sakurajima Island to reach Shikanai. Shikanai is thesecond largest production area for young sesame leaves in Japan.
We conducted an interview with Mr. Shuji Omagari, the president of the company. Here at
Shikanai, Mr. Omagari manages the production, drying and powdering processes of young sesame
leaves.
n It is said that sesame production only makes up 0.1% of all domestically produced crops andthat it is quite difficult to produce sesame seeds and young leaves. Is that true?
Generally speaking, sesame is a difficult crop for farmers to make a profit on, both domesticallyand abroad. However, in recent years, an added value of sesame is beginning to be recognized bypeople since it is produced without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. We are encouragedby this market trend as the care we take when cultivating sesame is so important to us.
n The amount of polyphenol peaks when the plant reaches a height of 30 to 90 centimeters.
Another important point in cultivating sesame is that young leaves should be harvested at a certain
time before the seeds bear fruits.
From the beginning, we have harvested young sesame leaves before the stems become thick andstiff. Overtime it became known that the amount of polyphenol (Acteocide) peaks when sesame
plants attain a height of 30 to 90 centimeters. This was found out through the research conductedby universities and companies with whom we are jointly developing sesame.
Depending on the temperatures for a particular year, we usually start seeding around June, theplants grow until they reach a height of 70 to 90 centimeters after two and a half months. We pay
a lot of attention to the height of plants for harvesting.
n Synergetic effects of lignan-rich sesame and soils
Do the components of the soil and cultivation methods have something to do with polyphenol?
The black volcanic ashes of Kagoshima prefecture and the largest amount of solar radiation in thisarea are quite suitable for growing other vegetables, too, such as sweet potato, radish, burdock,carrot, cabbage, taro, spinach, onion and green onion.
In recent years, it has also been confirmed that use of lignan-rich sesame seeds contributes greatly
to production of high quality young leaves.
We do hope that more and more new health promoting benefits of young sesame leaves can befound in the future and that we can cultivate them every year just like we produce sesame.

Sesame produced in Kagoshima and Shimane prefectures
is lignan-rich sesame produced in the temperate zones.
Sesame can be divided into two categories: one is sesame produced in tropical zones and the other is that
produced in temperate zones.
The sesame produced in Japan belongs to the latter group. If we try to produce the tropical type of sesamein Japan, the crop will fail. The plant will keep growing higher and higher, and will eventually wither
without many flowers. For the cultivation of young leaves we now use lignan black sesame as the raw
material. Within one month of seeding, young plants grow to a height of 30 centimeters. Around August,their growth rate accelerates to between two and three centimeters per day.
(The picture on the right shows young sesame leaves grown organically in Shimane prefecture.)3

Dry powders are carefully
produced after the cultivation ofyoung sesame leaves.
1) Leaves fresh from harvest(HSamplej)
2) Cleaning with cold water
3) Cutting5) Soaking in cold water(color fixing)(HSample k)4) Smothering process6) Dehydration

7) Dry process※ During the dry process, theutmost care is taken to preventthe amount of polyphenol fromdecreasing or decolorlationfrom occurring in the leaves.
4

Anti-oxidant properties of young sesame leaves
It has been confirmed that the young sesame leaves contain polyphenol with strong anti-oxidant properties.
An 80% ethanol extraction liquid was prepared from each powder sample in order toevaluate their anti-oxidant properties in relation to three radical scavenging methods(DPPH radical scavenging method, ABTS radical scavenging method, and WST-1 method
based on super- oxide anion radical scavenging.)
In the results, it was found that in every evaluation method, mulberry leaves came top in
terms of the highest level of anti-oxidant properties followed by sesame leaves, then kaleleaves, and finally burley leaves.
It was assumed that the variation in anti-oxidant properties had resulted from the amountof polyphenol contained in each sample, and so it was decided to calculate the amounts ofpolyphenol in each sample, using the Folin-Chiocalteu method. As shown in table 2, theorder for the amount of polyphenol matched perfectly the extent of each sample’s antioxidant properties. In other words, mulberry leaves came top and contained the largest
amount of polyphenol. These were followed by sesame leaves, kale leaves, and finallyburley leaves. We also compared the anti-oxidant properties per amount of polyphenol.
The result showed that, in this respect, sesame leaves and mulberry leaves were almost
equal or in some cases the sesame leaves had greater anti-oxidant properties than those of
the mulberry leaves.

Table 1. Solubility to 80% EtOH(%)
SesameBurleyKale
Mulberry

15.93 ± 0.83
6.84 ± 0.10
9.64 ± 0.28
19.07 ± 1.29

Table 2. Content of polyphenol (%)
SesameBurleyKale
Mulberry

0.939 ± 0.046
0.204 ± 0.005
0.361 ± 0.006
1.593 ± 0.006

n Anti-oxidant properties of young sesame leaves

are compared against those of other vegetables andfruits. (The values based on the DPPH method referto intensity of radical scavenging activities.)μmol Trolox
equivalent/g

Fruits, vegetables, seaweed, rice
Fig
Japanese persimmon(Maekawa Jiro: brand name of persimmon)
Japanese persimmon(Rendaiji: name of a variety)
Plum(Shira kaga: name of a variety)
Large purple-black grape
Unshu mandarin orange
Spinach (Asagiri: name of a variety)Molokheiya (leaves, leaf stem, stem)
Gumbo
Takana (Red large leaf)
Tomato (House Momotaro: name of a variety)Japanese basil (leaf and leaf stem)
Forbidden rice (Brown rice)
Hijiki seaweed

22.0
12.6
26.5
30.6
68.4
19.3
14.9
84.7
68.4
22.9
13.3
343.4
6.5

Sesame young leaf powders

70.7

188.4

(Dry food per gram)

The values for vegetables and fruits are cited from Mie prefecture Science Technology
Promotion Center, Industrial Research Department Report No.31 (2007) and No. 32 (2008).
*The values for young sesame leaves were calculated based on the value per powderweight, 0.0177 mg trolox equivalent/mg.

n Comparison of anti-oxidant activities of
sesame, burley, kale and mulberry as perweight of polyphenol

5Polyphenol in young sesame leaves
So far, seven types of polyphenol have been confirmed to exist in young sesame leaves. Major polyphenols
confirmed are acteoside (S5) and pedalitin (S4).

n ORAC (Oxygen Radical
Absorption Capacity) values
that represent anti-oxidative
property.
* Please refer to the graph on the right.
Young sesame leaves show 470 μmol TE/g, a higher ORAC
value than that of many other food products. The values on
the graph show the absorption capacity of radical oxygen.
* All values except for those of young sesame leaves and matcha chocolate powders cited from “Starch and food items, Issue No. 37.”
* Young sesame leaf production lot 110125, produced in Shimane prefecture, was used. Analysis organization: Japan Food Analysis Center Foundation.
No. 11101576001-01

6

The polyphenol called Acteoside
Acteoside is a polyphenol contained in olives and other fruits. Acteoside has an antioxidant effect 15 times
stronger than that of resveratrol, another polyphenol contained in red wine. Acteoside also has an antioxidant
effect five times greater than that of vitamin C. In addition Acteoside is said to suppress the activity of
αglucosidase, an enzyme that affects the absorption of carbohydrate, and so may help in the reduction ofblood-sugar levels.

What are the health benefit of Acteoside?
u Anti-oxidant effects
u Tonic effects, prevention of impotencyu Improvement of sexual functions which have been negatively affected by stressu Ability to block cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 related to inflammationu Anti-tumor effects
u Recovery effects of learned behaviors
u Improved fertility in womenu Promotion of the production of collagen
L. Li et al., Food Chem., 108, 702-710 (2008).

2000-302797

Cistanche salsa has been
designated as a Class No.2
protected plant in China.
However it has become
difficult to collect Cistanchesalsa, so Citanche tuberosa is
now used as an alternative.
n Desert Ginseng (Cistanche tuberosa) is afleshy stalked plant belonging to the samefamily as Cistanche salsa, Orobanchaceae.
It lives on the roots of host Tamarix species,
which can grow even in scorching deserts.
n Cistanche salsa had long been treasured
and eaten for its health promoting benefits.
(Cistanche salsa contains 4.8 ～ 15.2mg/g
of acteoside.)n It was in 2009 that young sesame
leaves were found to contain acteosideapproximately 1.28% of the amount foundin Cistanche tubulosa.
n Cistanche deserticola has been used
to cure impotency, infertility, menstrualirregularities such as reduced flow orflooding, and waist and knee psychroalgia.
It has also been clinically prescribed as a
dietary supplement and to strengthen thekidneys.

n Which plants contain acteoside?
Acteoside is a phenylpropanoid compound. It is widely known that acteoside is found in variety of plants, especially in herbal
plants. It has been reported that acteoside is found in Conandron ramoidioides, Proboscidea louisianica, Leucoseptrum
japonicum, Cistanche herba, Stachys sieboldii, Plantago asiatica, Plantago depressa, Rehmanniae radix, Olea europaea, etc.

Cistanche tubulosa

Young sesame leaves

Leucosceptrum japonicum
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Dietary effects of sesame leaves
Sesame leaves are often mixed with perilla leaves which are commonly used in Korean cooking. Historically,
however, sesame leaves have seldom been eaten. According to the Dictionary of Chinese Medicine (called
Chuyaku Daijiten), it is said that if one drinks sesame leaves as a beverage, they are effective in the treatment
of diarrhea. In addition, sesame leaves are used in the treatment of paralysis caused by cold, which is often
accompanied by muscle pain, arthrosis, uterine hemorrhaginge, and hematemesis. The medical effects ofsesame leaves are stated therein:

1760

Medical effects and treatment

ゴマヨウ

胡麻葉 hu ma ye[ 神農本草経集注 ]【異名】青嚢（セイジコウ）
・巨勝苗（キョ
ショウビョウ）[ 神農本草経 ]，蔓（マン）
・夢神（ムシン）[ 呉普本草 ]，胡麻苗（ゴマビョウ）[ 寿親養老新書 ]【基原】ゴマ科の植物，脂麻（シマ：
和名ゴマ）の葉。
原植物の詳細は黒脂麻（→ 1618）を参照。
【成分】乾燥した葉は，0.3% のペダリインを含む 1。
【薬理】葉は植物ゴム質を含み，水に入れると粘滑剤を形成し，下痢や痢疾の病人が飲料として用いると刺激を緩和する作用がある 1。
【性味】甘，
寒。1[ 神農本草経 ] 味は甘，寒。2[ 図経本草 ] 甘，滑。
【薬効と主治】風寒湿痺，崩中，吐血，外陰掻痒症を治す。1[ 神農本草経 ] 五臓の邪気，風寒湿痺を治す。気を益す，
脳髄を補う，筋骨を堅くする。長く服用すると耳や目が鋭敏になる。2[ 薬性論 ] 崩中や血凝が長く続いているもの
は，新鮮なものは 1 升とってつき，熱湯に入れ，汁を半升絞り取り服用する。
3[ 千金・食治 ] 暑気あたりによる発熱を主る。4[ 図経本草 ] 大腸を利す。5[ 本
草綱目 ] 風を去り解毒する，腸を潤す。
また，糸のようなものがのどに飛び込んだものを治すには，これをかむ。
【用法と用量】＜内服＞煎じて服用す
るか，
つき汁を服用する。＜外用＞研って粉末にして乾燥させ塗布する。
【処方例】1 吐血の治療 胡麻の若い茎と葉を煎じ，砂糖を混ぜて服用する [ 湖南薬物志 ]。2 外陰掻痒症の治療 胡麻葉，
朝陽花朱砂（→ 2448）をともに研って粉末にし塗布する [ 湖南薬物志 ]。
■中薬大辞典よりn Sesame leaves can cure various symptoms resulting from disorders of the bowels andother internal organs, as well as problems resulting from the body getting cold. They
increase mental toughness, promoting healthy function of the brain and nerves. They
also strengthen muscles and bones. However, if taken for a prolonged period, they candamage hearing and vision.
n For women who have genital disorders or who suffer from chronic melena, it is advised
to pick one measure of fresh sesame leaves, put them into hot water and make a hot
infusion. Drink it half a dose at a time.
n Sesame leaves reduce high body temperatures caused by heat.
n They also have a beneficial effect on the large intestine.
n They have a warming effect when one is cold, andfurther moisten the intestine. Also when you feel you
have something stuck in your throat, chewing sesame
leaves can relieve this.
n There are some examples where young sesame leaves
are used as an ingredient in processed food in China.

n History overseas
There are some reports from overseas which show thesesame leaf is used as a vegetable.

INTRODUCTION

Sesamum indicum is an annual plant belonging to the Pediliaceae famiy. It is one of
the world's most important oil crops grown in developing countries by small holders(FAO, 1993). Its oil, seed and other desirable properties and young shoots are usedas vegetables in soups (Bokhari and Ahmed, 1999). S. indicum grows flamboyantlywith good seeding property, It is grown as leafy vegetable in family home gardensand contributes to house hold food security. It also serves as a source of income tofamilies (Rubahaiyo, 1994).
(Reference)
Kubmarawa, D., Andenyang, I. F. H. and Magomya, A. M., Amino acid profile of two
non-conventional leafy vegetables, Sesamum indicum and Balanties aegyptiaca. Af. J.
Biotechnol., 7, 3502-3504 (2008).

n Sesame leaves from species such as S. Indicum and S. radiatum are used in Africa
and Asia as a traditional and indigenous medicine for the treatment of stomachache,bruising, rashes, catarrh, and sore eyes.
(Reference)
Ahmed, T., Shittu, L. A. J., Bankole, M. A., Shittu, R. K., Adesanya, O. A., Bankole, M. N. and Ashiru, O. A., Comparative studies of thecrude extracts of sesame against some common pathogenic microorganisms, Sci. Res. Essay, 4, 584-589 (2009).
Ogunlesi, M., Okiei, W. and Osibote, A., Analysis of the essential oil from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum , a potential medication for maleinfertility factor, by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, Af. J. Biotechnol., 9, 1060-1067 (2010).
Auwalu, B. M. and Babatunde, F. E., Analyses of growth, yield and fertilization of vegetable sesame (Sesamum radiatum Schum). J. Plant
Sci., 2, 108-112 (2007).

8

Acteoside of young sesame leaves and sesame lignan
It has been confirmed that young sesame leaves contain a large amount of acteoside. The reason for theirstrong anti-oxidant properties is no longer a mystery.
More interestingly, it has also been found that young sesame leaves cultivated from the lignan-rich black
seeded sesame contain higher amounts of acteoside.

Patent applied: (Name of invention) Dried young sesame leaves which contain higher amounts of acteoside, andthe extract powders which can be obtained from those leaves.(Patent application No. 2009 248744)
Changes in polyphenol content and thermal stability during the growth of young sesame leaves. Japan Food Science
Society 58th Convention (September, 2011)

Lignan as a phenylpropanoid
compoundA phenylpropanoid chemical compound isbiosynthesized from phenylalanine or tyrosine.
Phenylpropanoid is a collective term for chemicalcompounds with the basic structure C6-C3. They arebiosynthesized through the shikimic acid pathway.
Those compounds which form lactone with side
chains and aromatic rings are called coumalin.
If two C6-C3 compounds are condensed, lignan willbe created, whereas, if multiple C6-C3 compounds
are condensed, lignin will be created.
In particular, Lignin is a component of lignifying cell
membranes and is contained in all woody plants.
Plants absorb moisture and nutrient elements throughtheir roots and synthesize required components.
Flavonoid is another chemical compound belonging
to the phenylpropanoid group (cinnamic acid, redportion) that contains benzene ring. It is synthesizedusing the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine ortyrosine with shikimic acid a raw material.

Category ofcompounds

Compounds (origin of plants)

Polyphenol

Catechins such as EGCG (green tea, etc.), flavonoids such as
quercetin and luteolin (many kinds of fruits and vegetables),isoflavonoids such as genistein and daidzein (soy bean, etc.),
dianisidine and anthocyanin (many kinds of vegetables andfruits), and resveratrol which is present in fruits such as grapes.

Phenylpropanoid

Coffeic acid (many kinds of fruits and vegetables), ACA(greater galangal), auraptene (citrus fruits), and sesaminol(sesame)Terpenoid

Limonen (citrus fruits), perillyl alcohol (citrus fruits),
zerumbone (wild ginger) , ursolic acid (plants of lamiaceae
and rosaceae family), various types of carotenoid (manykinds of fruits and vegetables)

Curcuminoid

Curcumin (turmeric, etc.)

Sulfur-containing
compounds

Sulforaphane (plants of the brassicaceae family), many kindsof sulfides (plants of liliaceae family and of the genus allium
such as garlics)

Nitrogen-containing
compounds

13C (brassicaceae family)

OthersAnti-oxidant vitamins, tannins, and dietary fibers

Cited from “Aiming at Preventing Cancer through Dietary Change”, an article contributed to
The Japan Complementary and Alternative Medicine Institute Magazine by Dr. Hajime Daito.
(Vol. 5 No 1: 19-26, 2008)

n Safety of young
sesame leaves
Results of acute oral toxicity tests
using male mice

Acute oral toxicity tests, using male mice wereconducted. 2,000 mg/kg of the specimen was
administered to the mice. During the observation
period, no abnormalities were found in themice and no deaths were reported. Therefore,
the LD50 value resulting from a single oral
administration of the specimen to the male miceis presumed to be more than 2,000mg/kg.

Mutation tests

The mutation tests were conducted to observe
the mutagenic potency of the young sesameleaf powders, using Salmonella typhimurium
TA100, TA1535, TA98, and TA1537, as well as
Escherichia WP2uvrA. Results confirmed thatreverse mutation colony increases were less thandouble in all strains, regardless of whether or not
metabolic activity had occurred.

9