Sesamin is a lignan compound found in sesame seeds and oil, and its use for metabolic syndrome is primarily supported by preclinical scientific research, though robust clinical evidence is limited. Several animal and in vitro studies have reported that sesamin exhibits beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation, which are all relevant to metabolic syndrome. For instance, sesamin has been shown to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while raising HDL cholesterol in animal models. Additionally, studies suggest that sesamin can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress and hepatic fat accumulation, potentially through the activation of fatty acid oxidation pathways and suppression of lipogenesis (e.g., via downregulation of SREBP-1 and upregulation of PPARα).

However, human clinical trials are scarce. Some small-scale studies have reported modest benefits of sesamin supplementation on lipid profiles and blood pressure in humans, but these effects are not consistently observed and the studies are often limited by small sample sizes and short durations. There is currently not enough high-quality clinical evidence to definitively recommend sesamin for the management or treatment of metabolic syndrome in humans. Therefore, while there is a plausible scientific rationale and promising preclinical evidence, the overall strength of evidence for its use in metabolic syndrome is limited, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.