Perilla Frutescens Research Articles (Page 1)

Characterization of active components in perilla frutescens using excitation-emission matrix fluorescence coupled with parallel factor analysis for content prediction

Deciphering the Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Stability of Perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) Landraces of Northeastern Himalayan Region

Context: Skin aging is driven by factors such as prolonged sun exposure, pollution, poor sleep, and unhealthy lifestyle, which motivate the demand for antioxidant-rich herbal creams. Aims: To investigate the effects of various factors, optimize, and evaluate a skin cream formulated with Perilla frutescens and Aloe vera extracts for their antioxidant activity. Methods: Nineteen cream formulations were prepared using a D-optimal experimental design to optimize the cream composition. Three independent variables were selected for evaluation: Perilla frutescens extract (X₁) at concentrations of 4%, 6%, and 8%; cetyl alcohol (X₂) at 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%; and lanolin (X₃) at 1%, 1.5%, and 2%. These variables were chosen to maximize spreadability and antioxidant activity. Results: The optimized formulation (7.5% P. frutescens extract, 1.5% cetyl alcohol, and 1% lanolin) met the quality criteria. The observed spreadability (54.84 ± 0.91 cm²) and antioxidant activity (43.16 ± 1.13%) showed no significant difference from the predicted values (p>0.05), as confirmed by a one-sample t-test. The cream demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in the ABTS and FRAP assays, showing 85.70 ± 0.45% radical inhibition (IC₅₀ = 23.64 ± 0.78 mg/mL) and a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of 19.62 ± 0.35 µmol Trolox/g, respectively. Conclusions: A natural skincare cream containing P. frutescens and A. vera extracts, with good spreadability and antioxidant activity, was successfully developed.

Comparative study of dry-air and infrared pretreatment methods on perilla seeds for enhancing bioactive compounds, anti-oxidation properties, physicochemical attributes, and oxidative stability of oil.

Allergic asthma, the most common phenotype of asthma, is a chronic inflammatory airway disease driven by Type 2 immune responses and characterized by eosinophilic infiltration, elevated IgE levels, and activation of inflammatory pathways. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Perilla frutescens var. acuta Kudo extract (PFE), a plant rich in rosmarinic acid (RA), using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse model of allergic asthma. Given RA's well-documented anti-allergic properties, extraction conditions were optimized to maximize RA yield. PFE treatment significantly reduced immune cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, suppressed Th2-associated cytokine production, and decreased serum IgE levels, thereby alleviating airway inflammation. Mechanistically, PFE inhibited activation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways, key drivers of inflammatory responses in allergic asthma. These findings suggest that PFE attenuates allergic airway inflammation through both immune regulation and suppression of pro-inflammatory signaling, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for allergic asthma.

Plant defensins (PDFs), key components of the plant innate immune system, have important potential applications in the genetic engineering of crop for disease resistance. In this study, PfPDF2 was cloned from Perilla frutescens for the first time and introduced into Brassica napus through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The study showed that the transgenic plants were significantly more resistant to Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicae, with a 50-87.7% reduction in lesion radius and a significant reduction in leaf yellowing after pathogen infestation. Molecular mechanism analysis indicated that PfPDF2 might activate the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway, induce the expression of disease resistance-related proteins, and participate in the regulation of photosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism. The number of branches and pods increased significantly in transgenic oilseed rape while maintaining a stable plant height, flowering time, and total yield, reflecting a dynamic balance between disease resistance, defense, and resource allocation. Despite the decrease in seed oil content, the elevated protein accumulation and remodeling of fatty acid fractions (increase in the ratio of oleic acid to stearic acid) provides a new direction for the development of functional lipids. This study identified and characterized the PDF gene of Perilla frutescens for the first time, revealing the disease resistance function of PfPDF2 in cruciferous crops and providing new insights into the application of plant defensins in this crop group.

Perilla frutescens, “Nga-Kee-Mon” in Thai, is a high-nutritional-value plant. This study aims to identify the phytochemicals, apoptosis induction and immunomodulating activities of the perilla seed extract (PSE) and highlight the high pharmaceutical value of perilla. The phytochemical profile of PSE was characterized using HPLC. Antioxidant capacity was studied using DPPH assay. Apoptosis was confirmed by morphological changes and DNA fragmentation of the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29). Immunomodulating activity was studied in an LPS-stimulated murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). PSE had high levels of TPC (375.04 ± 11.45 mg GAE/g) and TFC (223.45 ± 16.02 mg QE/g) with strong radical scavenging capacity (312.87 ± 12.98 mg TE/100 g). Rosmarinic acid (0.116 g%) and luteolin (0.010 g%) were the major phytochemicals. PSE at 50 µg/mL, equivalent to 0.85 and 0.08 µg/mL of rosmarinic acid and luteolin, respectively, caused morphological alterations and DNA fragmentation within 24 h. PSE at 200 µg/mL, equivalent to 3.38 and 0.30 µg/mL of rosmarinic acid and luteolin, respectively, had significant inhibitory activity on IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α secretion. These results demonstrate that PSE has high antioxidant capacity, with rosmarinic acid and luteolin as the major phytochemicals. It can trigger apoptosis in HT-29 cells and has immunomodulatory effects. These findings highlight the potential of perilla seed extract as a promising natural source for therapeutic applications related to oxidative stress, cancer prevention, and immune modulation.

Since the beginning of this century, esthetic cosmetology has witnessed unprecedented growth, with a variety of procedures offered to enhance the customer’s appearance in a fast and non-surgical way. However, the growing demand has been paralleled by a rise in complications (particularly, ocular ones). These include allergic, mechanical and chemical lesions following eyelash extension and tinting, permanent make-up, microblading, laser-assisted eyebrow treatment and tattooing in the periocular region. Of special concern is lash and/or brow lamination, a procedure that involves the use of chemically active substances (e.g., thioglycolic acid) potentially causing inflammation, allergy, dry eye, burns and even autoimmune-like reactions. We present a case of a woman who developed allergic blepharitis and dry eye after having her first brow lamination session. Prompt diagnosis and adequate therapy including a liposomal eye spray (containing hyaluronic acid and Perilla frutescens seed extract 0.5%) led to full recovery. This case highlights the need for greater awareness among beauticians and their customers regarding potential hazards and importance of pre-procedural allergy screening and strict adherence to application protocols. It also points to the necessity for standardized post-procedural aftercare protocols.

Hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, remains a leading global health concern and has prompted growing interest in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from plant seeds as promising nutraceutical ingredients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify antihypertensive peptides from Perilla frutescens seed protein, with thermolysin hydrolysate demonstrated the favorable ACE-inhibitory (ACEI) activity (IC50 = 141µg/mL). Two parallel bioassay-guided fractionations (SCX and RP-HPLC) were used to screen the fractions with the best ACEI activity, from which two novel tetrapeptides, TLVY (TY4) and LLVY (LY4), were identically found. Both peptides exhibited notable ACEI activities with IC50 values of 31 µM and 44 µM, respectively. Enzyme kinetics showed that TY4 and LY4 antagonized ACE via a competitive inhibition mechanism, while molecular docking revealed specific interactions with canonical catalytic residues of ACE through hydrogen bonding. The structural characteristics and bioactivity profiles of TY4 and LY4 support their potential as naturally derived antihypertensive agents. This study highlights the discovery of novel tetrapeptides from Perilla frutescens seeds with ACE inhibitory activity, providing a foundation for the development of functional foods targeting hypertension.

Chronic inflammatory atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disorder characterized by cutaneous inflammation and a dysfunctional skin barrier. Although perilla seed oil (PO) is known to exhibit various biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects, its inhibitory effects together with the ethanol extract of PO (PE) on atopic and inflammatory responses in the dermal skin has not yet been investigated. In the present study, PE significantly reduced mRNA expressions of inflammation-associated cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-33. Furthermore, PE decreased the levels of the chemokine, thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) in TNF-α and interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated human HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, PE effectively suppressed activation of MAPK/NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in HaCaT keratinocytes co-stimulated with TNF-α and IFN-γ. These findings indicate that PE possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic properties, suggesting its potential benefits in treating inflammatory skin diseases including AD.

In our previous study, we demonstrated that a standardized ethanol extract of Perilla frutescens var. acuta (PE) alleviates memory deficits in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model by inhibiting amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation and promoting its disaggregation. However, the extent to which PE exerts additional cognitive benefits independent of Aβ pathology remained unclear. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of PE on synaptic plasticity and learning and memory functions. Male ICR mice were used, and cognitive impairment was induced by scopolamine administration. PE was orally administered at doses determined from previous studies, and cognitive performance was assessed using the passive avoidance, Y-maze, and Morris water maze tests. In parallel, hippocampal slices were employed to examine the effects of PE on synaptic plasticity. PE (100 and 300 μg/mL) significantly enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) in a concentration-dependent manner without altering basal synaptic transmission. This facilitation of LTP was blocked by scopolamine (1 μM), a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist, and IEM-1460 (50 μM), a calcium-permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (CP-AMPAR) inhibitor, indicating the involvement of mAChR and CP-AMPAR pathways. In vivo, PE (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) treatment improved memory performance across all behavioral tasks and upregulated hippocampal synaptic proteins including GluN2B, PSD-95, and CaMKII. Collectively, these results demonstrate that PE ameliorates scopolamine (1 mg/kg)-induced cognitive impairment by enhancing synaptic plasticity, likely through modulation of mAChR, CP-AMPAR, and NMDA receptor signaling. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PE for memory deficits associated with cholinergic dysfunction.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S336826.].

Insight into enhancing effect and mechanism of three Chinese herbal extracts on proliferation and lactation performance of canine and feline mammary epithelial cells.

Polyphenols have physiological effects, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and have been reported to associated with osteoporosis and inflammatory diseases. Rosmarinic acid is a natural polyphenol contained in Lamiaceae herbs, such as perilla, sage, and sweet basil. Salviaflaside is a glycosidized compound of rosmarinic acid. It was one of the major components of the defatted Perilla frutescens Britton var. japonica Hara (egoma) seed residue extract. In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic effects of the water-soluble layer fraction of egoma residue heated water extract (DPH-W) and salviaflaside on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). DPH-W reduced the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive osteoclasts in BMM treated with receptor-activated nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL). The mRNA expression levels of NFATc1 and CTSK, which are responsible for osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, were suppressed. Salviaflaside decreased TRAP activity and suppressed the expression of osteoclast differentiation-related genes. Our findings indicate that egoma seed residue and salviaflaside may have potential as a useful therapeutic or prophylactic agent for the suppression of bone loss.

This study investigated the extraction of total phenolic compounds from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt leaves collected in Tuy Loan, Danang City, Vietnam. The extraction process was optimized based on ethanol concentration (%), material-to-solvent ratio (w/v), extraction time (h), and temperature (°C). The highest yield (0.27 ± 0.015 ‰) was achieved at 80% ethanol, a 1:40 (w/v) ratio, 3 hours, and 60°C. The extract exhibited potential anti-diabetic activity with an IC50 value of 5120 ± 0.45 µg/mL, compared to acarbose (119.73 ± 8.26 µg/mL). The phenolic compound powder met the safety standards for food ingredients set by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, including microbial and heavy metal limits. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of plant-derived bioactive compounds, supports the use of P. frutescens as a functional food ingredient, and promotes the economic and medicinal value of local Vietnamese herbs.

The structural properties of leaves play a crucial role in the attachment of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in forage corps. This study analyzed the effects of leaf morphological properties, on LAB counts in different wild forage crops. The LAB counts and morphologic features on adaxial or abaxial surfaces of leaves from twelve forage species (maize (Zea mays), beggarticks (Bidens pilosa), white goosefoot (Chenopodium album), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), perilla (Perilla frutescens), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), chili pepper (Capsicum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), potato (Solanum tuberosum), and mallow (Malva verticillata)) were investigated. White goosefoot (5.22 log10 CFU g−1 FM) and beggarticks (4.83 log10 CFU g−1 FM) had the highest LAB counts but shortest leaf lengths (5.06 cm and 4.97 cm, respectively), whereas maize (3.37 log10 CFU g−1 FM) and sweet potato (3.38 log10 CFU g−1 FM) had lower LAB counts but significantly greater leaf widths than the other crops except for mallow (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that the coefficients of determination (R2) between LAB counts and contact angle of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaf were 0.1424 and 0.175, respectively. Therefore, the morphological features of leaves have a relatively weak influence on the LAB counts in different forage crops.

Transcranial ultrasound research has garnered significant attention due to its non-invasive nature, absence of ionizing radiation, and portability, making it advantageous for both imaging and therapy. A critical aspect of advancing transcranial research lies in understanding the ultrasound transmission performance of the human skull. However, inherent variations in skull shape, physical parameters, and age-related changes pose challenges for comparative studies. To address these challenges, we designed a three-layer structured skull (TSS) phantom that closely mimics the structural and ultrasound transmission properties of real skulls. The TSS substrate is composed of epoxy resin/Al2O3powders, with purple perilla seeds incorporated into the middle layer to replicate the porous structure found in real skulls. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that TSS phantom achieves acoustic transmission properties closely approximating those of human skull bone within the 1.25-1.75 MHz frequency range. Experimentally, the TSS phantom containing 27 wt% purple perilla seeds shows a sound pressure transmission coefficient ranging from 5.0% to 6.6%, closely matching the skull's transmission characteristics (4.2%-9.8%). This performance represents a significant improvement over conventional phantom materials, outperforming epoxy resin plate phantoms (42.6%-48.4%) and polyetheretherketone phantoms (64.5%-75.2%). Notably, the transmission performance of TSS can be adjusted by varying the mass fraction of purple perilla seeds, making it adaptable to diverse research needs. The TSS phantom holds significant potential as a valuable tool in transcranial research, offering a reliable and accessible alternative for comprehensive investigations into ultrasound applications in brain therapy.

The present study reports an eco-friendly route for the synthesis of chitosan-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Cs@AuNPs) using Perilla frutescens leaf extract and their dual anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ζ-potential analysis. Cs@AuNPs exhibited a strong surface plasmon resonance peak at 550 nm, face-centered cubic crystallinity with a predominant (111) plane, spherical morphology, particle size ranging from 5-30 nm, and a positive surface charge. Biological assays revealed selective anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells with an IC50 of ∼100 μg/mL, while sparing normal MCF-10A cells (>80% viability). Mechanistic studies confirmed significant reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis, nuclear fragmentation, and regulation of apoptotic proteins. Cs@AuNPs also displayed potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones of up to 15 mm. Computational investigations supported these findings. Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinities with the HER2 kinase (-284.3 kcal/mol) and Candida albicans regulator proteins (-343.4 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations indicated complex stability, while binding free energy calculations (MM/GBSA) with entropy corrections yielded favorable values (-30 to -45 kcal/mol). Density functional theory (DFT) further validated electronic stability, and ADMET profiling predicted high intestinal absorption, nongenotoxicity, and environmental safety. Together, these experimental and computational insights highlight Cs@AuNPs as a biocompatible, sustainable nanoplatform with promising applications in cancer therapy and antimicrobial treatment.

This study investigated the effects of relative humidity (RH) and storage period on the quality and metabolite profiles of perilla seed powder (PSP). PSP was stored for 12 weeks at RH levels ranging from 11% to 93%, and quality changes were monitored by assessing microbial growth, lipid oxidation, color, and metabolite profiles. Visual deterioration occurred rapidly above RH 69% due to microbial proliferation, becoming apparent after four weeks at RH 69% and after one week above RH 81%. In contrast, lipid oxidation, measured by acid and peroxide values, was significantly delayed at RH levels below 43%, whereas at 53% RH, the acid value increased 14.8-fold after 12 weeks compared to the initial level. Multivariate statistical analysis showed distinct metabolite patterns dependent on RH and storage period. Unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acids, decreased, whereas lysophosphatidylethanolamines (LPEs) and their oxidized derivatives, including hydroxylinolenic acid, increased by up to 167-fold at RH 53% after 12 weeks. Rosmarinic acid declined, whereas glycosylated phenolics, including rosmarinyl glucoside, increased. Multi-output regression models based on metabolite and quality traits effectively predicted RH and storage duration (R2 > 0.87, RMSE < 5.37), demonstrating their potential utility in monitoring storage conditions. These findings suggest that PSP should be stored under RH below 43% for no longer than four weeks to minimize quality degradation. This study provides new insights into RH-dependent metabolic responses in seed-based powders and offers a scientific basis for RH-controlled storage strategies to maintain product stability.

IntroductionThe unique geographical environment of Guizhou Province, China, has nurtured rich resources of Lamiaceae. The Dong people have developed diverse medicinal and edible utilization methods for Lamiaceae plants through long-term practice. This study mainly aims to (1) document the medicinal and edible uses of Lamiaceae plants in the Dong community of Yangwei Village, Shangzhong Town, Liping County, Guizhou; (2) evaluate the chemical composition of five Lamiaceae species; and (3) provide a detailed account and assessment of the tea-making process of Elsholtzia rugulosa, a commonly used local plant, while exploring its potential for development as a specialty tea beverage.Material and methodsYangwei Village (Liping County), a representative Dong ethnic community with rich ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal and edible plants, was selected as main study site. Ethnobotanical knowledge of Lamiaceae plants was collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants and participatory observations. Five Lamiaceae plants were chemically analyzed, with E. rugulosa selected as the primary research subject due to its traditional applications, rich bioactive compounds, and good processing adaptability. The processing workflow of E. rugulosa tea was thoroughly investigated, with improvements based on standard green, oolong, and black tea procedures. The resulting three flavored tea broths were then subjected to sensory and compound evaluations.ResultsThe survey documented 101 Lamiaceae species (39 genera), mostly herbs. Chemical analysis indicated significant development potential for Prunella vulgaris, Leonurus japonicus, and Perilla frutescens. Sensory evaluation showed optimized E. rugulosa infusions had translucent color, pure aroma, and mellow taste. The black tea flavored infusion exhibited higher total phenolics and flavonoids; the oolong tea flavored infusion excelled in free amino acids and dry matter; and the green tea flavored infusion contained the highest water extract. The optimized E. rugulosa tea enhanced taste and preserved bioactive compounds, aligning with the urban demand for health, naturally derived, and culturally meaningful beverage products.ConclusionThe findings documents Dong-specific ethnobotanical knowledge in Yangwei Village Lamiaceae plants, which is valuable for both conservation and sustainable use. The medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae family have significant development potential, especially in urban use and commercialization.