A composition (e.g., phytochemical composition) including sesamin, the composition exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine storm, connective tissue preservation, anti-viral, and/or other properties in biological tissue. The phytochemical composition therapeutically affects a pro-inflammatory cytokine condition, for instance facilitating or effectuating decrease in a quantity of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, for example, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis-alpha. The phytochemical composition facilitates or effectuates an increase in quantity of an anti-inflammatory cytokines. The phytochemical composition can additionally facilitate a connective tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) preservation effect. The phytochemical composition can also inhibit an action of a viral neuraminidase, for example, the influenza A virus neuraminidase. Uses of sesamin for the manufacture of phytochemical compositions having predetermined concentrations of sesamin include one or more of facilitating a decrease in quantity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines, a connective tissue anti-degenerative effect, and/or an inhibition of viral neuraminidase within the living organism. Manufacturing processes for the phytochemical compositions are also described.