Anti-amyloidogenic effects of Perilla frutescens var. acuta on beta-amyloid aggregation and disaggregation

Abstract

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregates are a major cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the inhibition of Aβ aggregation is a good therapeutic target against AD. Thus, the effects of Perilla extract (4–100 µg/mL) on the aggregation of Aβ (20 µM) monomers and disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ aggregates were determined. The Perilla methanol extract and its hexane fraction significantly reduced Aβ aggregation determined by a Theoflavin T fluorescence assay (IC50 = 24.5 and 19.8 µg/mL, respectively) and confirmed by Western blot analysis with native gels. The inhibition of Aβ aggregation by hexane fraction of Perilla extract (20 and 100 µg/mL) rescued the PC12 cells from Aβ aggregate-induced toxicity to the levels of DMSO-treated control groups. Furthermore, hexane fraction efficiently disaggregated the preformed Aβ aggregates (IC50 = 10.2 µg/mL). Perilla frutescens var. acuta leaves exhibited anti-amyloidogenic effects against Aβ aggregation and disaggregation. Practical application These results suggest that P. frutescens var. acuta has the potential to be developed as a preventive and therapeutic agent.