Search Results (17)

Background: Perilla seed oil (PSO) is a high-nutritional-value oil and widely used in functional foods, and derives from the mature seeds of Perilla frutescens. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the nutritional characteristics and safety of PSO, as well as to investigate its lipid-modulating effects and the underlying changes in gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic conditions. Methods: The nutritional characteristics of PSO (prepared via seed cleaning, cold-pressing, filtration, and solvent extraction) were evaluated by comparing it with 15 representative vegetable oils, focusing on fatty acid composition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, metal elements, and physicochemical indices. The safety of PSO was assessed through acute oral toxicity testing in Kunming mice (doses: 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg) with general observations, histopathological examination, and serum biochemical analysis. Additionally, a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model was established to explore PSO’s lipid-modulating effects and its regulatory role in gut microbiota, using serum biochemical detection, liver pathology examination, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis. Results: PSO possessed the highest α-linolenic acid (ALA) content among the tested oils, along with a favorable unsaturated fatty acid ratio. Notably, PSO was rich in zinc and free of toxic elements. In HFD-fed rats, 10 g/kg PSO significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and alleviated hepatic damage. Moreover, PSO modulated gut microbiota by enriching probiotic populations and elevating intestinal production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionate and butyrate. Conclusions: PSO is a nutritionally rich and safe edible oil with notable lipid-modulating properties, highlighting its potential as a dietary intervention for preventing lipid metabolism disorders. Full article

Seed priming has been widely used as a strategy to improve germination and promote uniform seedling growth in horticultural crops, yet its application in microgreen production remains relatively underexplored. This study evaluated the impact of four priming treatments—hydrogen peroxide, Kelpak Maxx (a seaweed extract), Continuum^TM (a beneficial bacterial biostimulant), and hydropriming—on the germination, shoot growth, visual quality, coloration, and mineral nutrient composition of four herbal microgreen species compared with untreated raw seeds as a control treatment. Four species—chives (Allium schoenoprasum), dill (Anethum graveolens), scallion (Allium fistulosum), and shiso (Perilla frutescens)—were produced as microgreens under greenhouse conditions in two experiments in 2024 and 2025. Results revealed that early germination percentages at 3 days after treatment (DAT) in dill were increased by Kelpak Maxx, Continuum, and hydropriming by 11–18% in 2024 and by 20–40% in 2025, compared with increases for the control of 1% in 2024 and 5% in 2025. Germination percentages at 7 DAT in chives, scallion, and shiso all exceeded 88%, which were similar among priming treatments in 2024 and were not affected by priming in 2025. The four priming treatments resulted in similar fresh and dry shoot weights in chives, scallion, and shiso, but decreased fresh shoot weights in dill by 48.6% in 2024 and by 26.2% in 2025 compared with the control treatment. Species varied in mineral nutrient compositions. Priming altered concentrations of potassium, sulfur, magnesium, boron, and copper in certain species, but otherwise had minimal effects on mineral nutrient concentrations. Seed priming may potentially be used to enhance germination in slow-germinating species; however, it did not consistently improve shoot yield or mineral nutrient concentrations in the four tested microgreen species. Full article

The demand for eco-friendly photoprotection has increased due to the observed adverse effects of conventional UV filters on marine ecosystems. In this study, we developed a broad-spectrum, reef-friendly sunscreen emulsion containing Perilla frutescens seed extract. The extraction process was optimized using 95% ethanol maceration for one week, yielding the highest SPF of 22.61. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to identify linolenic acid (43.54%) as the predominant fatty acid. Cytotoxicity test results for HaCaT keratinocytes were used to confirm the extract’s safety, with an IC₅₀ of 12.9 mg/mL. The formulated sunscreen met environmental safety standards based on persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) criteria. A clinical safety evaluation using a 24 h closed patch test (n = 17) demonstrated that the formulation induced no significant alterations in TEWL or erythema levels (p > 0.05), confirming its dermatological safety. In a clinical efficacy evaluation involving 30 volunteers, the formulation containing 1% perilla extract reduced both erythema values and the melanin index, with no statistically significant difference observed (p > 0.05). These findings demonstrate that P. frutescens seed extract is a potent bioactive ingredient for sustainable cosmeceuticals, offering effective sun protection while ensuring safety for both human skin and marine environments. Full article

The fatty acid composition of some seed oils from plants of emerging interest was studied. The benefits towards human health were evaluated by taking into account current recommendations regarding dietary intake of essential, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids and by discussing the pathologies for which such fatty acids exert protective action. Species studied were Hemp (Cannabis sativa), Flax (Linum usitatissimum), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Perilla (Perilla frutescens), Borage (Borago officinalis), and Black Cumin (Nigella sativa). Seeds were subjected to cold milling in order to maintain their original nutritional characteristics. Chemical analyses were performed via the dual-detector gas chromatography technique by means of Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS) and by applying a modified version of the AOAC Official Method 991.39, thanks to which it was possible to obtain the fatty acid composition expressed as mg per gram of oil: such information is not always available in the literature for the species studied here. Comparison with the fatty acid international guidelines about the recommended intakes in g/day was made. This allowed us to evaluate whether such oils are suitable to be used as fatty acid food supplements to rebalance the Western diet, which is shown to be inadequate by numerous studies. Results show that seed oils from Cannabis sativa, Linum usitatissimum, and Perilla frutescens are suitable to be used as food supplements while seed oils from Silybum marianum, Borago officinalis, and Nigella sativa are not. It is important to note that any possible benefits from other parts of the plant (leaves, stems, flowers, and roots) are not studied or questioned by the present research, which focuses solely on fatty acids in the oil extracted from the seeds. Full article

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. Full article

The seed residue of Perilla frutescens possesses diverse biological properties and is rich in bioactive phytochemicals, including luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and apigenin. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of perilla seed residue crude extract (PCE) and its impact on the composition of the gut microbiome in rats with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). Forty male Wistar rats were fed on an HFD for six weeks before receiving an injection of STZ injection to induce diabetes. These rats were then treated for four weeks with metformin (100 mg/kg bw) or PCE (100 and 1000 mg/kg bw) alongside a control group maintained on a normal diet. The results showed that PCE treatment improved metabolic parameters in diabetic rats, as evidenced by reduced water and food intake, increased body weight gain, lower blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin secretion effects, especially at the 100 mg/kg bw dosage. PCE also promoted the regeneration of pancreatic β-cells and improved utilization of glucose. PCE also suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and reduced circulating triglyceride levels. Most notably, PCE administration increased gut microbial diversity and shifted the microbiome closer to that of healthy controls, demonstrating its prebiotic effect. It promoted the abundance of beneficial bacteria that are linked to improved glucose metabolism and reduced inflammation—specifically, Bacteroides fragilis, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Akkermansia. Harmful bacteria associated with inflammation and poor glycemic control were reduced. Collectively, these results suggest that PCE not only helps restore a balanced gut microbiome but also offers metabolic benefits that could improve diabetic outcomes. These findings position PCE as a promising supplement for the management of diabetes and encourage further exploration of the mechanisms associated with its actions. Full article

Perilla seed meal (PSM) is a waste biomass of perilla seed extraction that retains flavonoid and phenolic compounds. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of PSM extracts (PSMEs) from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton as a sustainable source of natural active pharmaceutical ingredients (NAPIs) containing rosmarinic acid and luteolin for promoting bone health. PSMEs were obtained through shaking incubation and ultrasonic extraction, with 40% ethanol (PS-E40) and 80% ethanol (PS-E80) being found to be the most effective solvents. The effects of PSMEs on bone formation markers were evaluated in human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) using bone formation parameters. The results demonstrated that PS-E40 and PS-E80 extracts significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OC) production, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels while concurrently reducing receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a dose-dependent manner, particularly at 100 µg/mL on day 7 and 50 and 100 µg/mL on day 14 of the co-incubation period. Moreover, Alizarin Red S staining demonstrated that PS-E40 enhanced calcium deposition in both normal and osteogenic media, further supporting the effect of PSMEs on mineralization and osteoblast differentiation. Our findings suggest that PSMEs rich in rosmarinic acid and luteolin enhance bone health by promoting osteoblast activity and reducing osteoclastogenesis. Full article

Seed germination is recognized for enhancing the accumulation of bioactive compounds. Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., commonly known as perilla seed, is rich in fatty acids that may be beneficial for anti-hair loss. This study investigated the hair regeneration potential of perilla seed extracts—non-germinated (NG-PS) and germinated in distilled water (0 ppm selenium; G0-PS), and germinated with 80 ppm selenium (G80-PS)—obtained from supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and screw compression (SC). SFE extracts exhibited significantly higher levels of polyphenols, tocopherols, and fatty acids compared to SC extracts. Among the germinated groups, G0-PS showed the highest bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity. Remarkably, treatment with SFE-G0-PS led to a significant increase in the proliferation and migration of hair follicle cells, reaching 147.21 ± 2.11% (p < 0.05), and resulted in complete wound closure. In addition, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were reflected by a marked scavenging effect on TBARS (59.62 ± 0.66% of control) and suppressed nitrite amounts (0.44 ± 0.01 µM). Moreover, SFE-G0-PS markedly suppressed SRD5A1-3 gene expression—key regulators in androgenetic alopecia—in both DU-145 and HFDPCs, with approximately 2-fold and 1.5-fold greater inhibition compared to finasteride and minoxidil, respectively. Simultaneously, it upregulated the expression of hair growth-related genes, including CTNNB1, SHH, SMO, GLI1, and VEGF, by approximately 1.5-fold, demonstrating stronger activation than minoxidil. These findings suggest the potential of SFE-G0-PS as a natural therapeutic agent for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss. Full article

Background/Objectives: Iron overload is a serious condition that can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative tissue damage and organ dysfunction. While current pharmaceutical drugs for iron chelation have limitations, the search for natural herbs with iron-chelating properties is crucial. This study aimed to explore the various biological functions of the Perilla frutescens seed, regarding antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective and iron-chelating properties. Methods:Perilla frutescens seeds were subjected to extraction using a solvent-partitioning technique. Each fraction was evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and rosmarinic acid (RA) content by Folin–Ciocalteu assay, aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), respectively. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was evaluated using the TBARS assay in HepG2 cells and an egg yolk model. The iron-chelating activity was examined using a ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe³⁺-NTA)-binding assay, labile iron pool (LIP) level assessment, and the transferrin receptor (TfR) expression in HepG2 cells. Results: Phytochemical analysis indicated that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction had the highest TPC, TFC, and RA. This fraction demonstrated strong antioxidant properties and attenuated lipid peroxidation in HepG2 cells and egg yolk. In addition, this fraction exhibited iron-binding activity, decreased LIP levels, and induced TfR expression in iron-loaded HepG2 cells similar to the rosmarinic acid standard. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the EtOAc fraction of the Perilla frutescens seed possesses promising potential as a therapeutic agent for treating iron overload. Full article

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure worsens chronic respiratory diseases through oxidative stress and inflammation. Perilla frutescens (L.) has potential respiratory protective properties, but the impact of growth stages on its beneficial metabolites is unclear. We aimed to evaluate how different growth stages affect phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polycosanols in perilla seeds and flowers and their efficacy in countering PM2.5-induced damage. Perilla seeds and flowers from five varieties at 10, 20, 30, and 40 days post-flowering were analyzed for metabolite content. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory protective effects were tested in RPMI 2650 cells. Our findings indicated that perilla flowers contained higher levels of functional components than seeds and exhibited significant variation with maturation. Phenolic acids of perilla flowers were highest at the early stages of maturation after flowering. However, individual flavones of perilla flowers were the highest at the late maturation stages after flowering. Extracts from perilla flowers harvested 20 days after flowering exhibited significant respiratory protection, effectively inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, mucus secretion, and oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, the flower parts of perilla, particularly those harvested 20 days after flowering, are useful materials for obtaining phenolic compounds, including rosmarinic acid, with high antioxidant and respiratory enhancement effects. Full article

An excessive inflammatory response of the gastrointestinal tract is recognized as one of the major contributors to ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite this, effective preventive approaches for UC remain limited. Rosmarinic acid (RA), an enriched fraction from Perilla frutescens, has been shown to exert beneficial effects on disease-related inflammatory disorders. However, RA-enriched perilla seed meal (RAPSM) and perilla seed (RAPS) extracts have not been investigated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice. RAPSM and RAPS were extracted using the solvent-partitioning method and analyzed with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mice with UC induced using 2.5% DSS for 7 days were pretreated with RAPSM and RAPS (50, 250, 500 mg/kg). Then, the clinical manifestation, colonic histopathology, and serum proinflammatory cytokines were determined. Indeed, DSS-induced UC mice exhibited colonic pathological defects including an impaired colon structure, colon length shortening, and increased serum proinflammatory cytokines. However, RAPSM and RAPS had a protective effect at all doses by attenuating colonic pathology in DSS-induced UC mice, potentially through the suppression of proinflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of 50 mg/kg of RAPSM and RAPS were sufficient to achieve a beneficial effect in UC mice. This suggests that RAPSM and RAPS have a preventive effect against DSS-induced UC, potentially through alleviating inflammatory responses and relieving severe inflammation in the colon. Full article

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is extensively cultivated in East Asia as a dietary vegetable, and nutraceuticals are reportedly rich in bioactive compounds, especially with anticancer activities. This study explored the in vitro cytotoxic effects of P. frutescens parts’ (stems, leaves, and seeds) extracts on prostate cancer cells (DU-145) and possible interactions of putative metabolites to related prostate cancer targets in silico. The ethanol extract of P. frutescens leaves was the most cytotoxic for the prostate cancer cells. From high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, rosmarinic acid was identified as the major metabolite in the leaf extracts. Network analysis revealed interactions from multiple affected targets and pathways of the metabolites. From gene ontology enrichment analysis, P. frutescens leaf metabolites could significantly affect 14 molecular functions and 12 biological processes in five cellular components. Four (4) KEGG pathways, including for prostate cancer, and six (6) Reactome pathways were shown to be significantly affected. The molecular simulation confirmed the interactions of relevant protein targets with key metabolites, including rosmarinic acid. This study could potentially lead to further exploration of P. frutescens leaves or their metabolites for prostate cancer treatment and prevention. Full article

Perilla frutescens is an annual herb of the Labiatae family and is widely grown in several countries in Asia. Perilla frutescens is a plant that is used medicinally in its entirety, as seen in its subdivision into perilla seeds, perilla stalks, and perilla leaves, which vary more markedly in their chemical composition. Several studies have shown that Perilla frutescens has a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, detoxifying, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective. In the absence of a review of Perilla frutescens for the treatment of cancer. This review provides an overview of the chemical composition and molecular mechanisms of Perilla frutescens for cancer treatment. It was found that the main active components of Perilla frutescens producing cancer therapeutic effects were perilla aldehyde (PAH), rosmarinic acid (Ros A), lignan, and isoestrogen (IK). In addition to these, extracts of the leaves and fruits of Perilla frutescens are also included. Among these, perilla seed oil (PSO) has a preventive effect against colorectal cancer due to the presence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This review also provides new ideas and thoughts for scientific innovation and clinical applications related to Perilla frutescens. Full article

Perilla frutescens (PF) seed residue is a waste from perilla oil production that still contains nutrients and phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate the chemoprotective action of PF seed residue crude ethanolic extract (PCE) on the inflammatory-induced promotion stage of rat colon carcinogenesis and cell culture models. PCE 0.1 and 1 g/kg body weight were administered by oral gavage to rats after receiving dimethylhydrazine (DMH) with one week of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) supplementation. PCE at high dose exhibited a reduction in aberrant crypt foci (ACF) number (66.46%) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to the DMH + DSS group (p < 0.01). Additionally, PCE could either modulate the inflammation induced in murine macrophage cells by bacterial toxins or suppress the proliferation of cancer cell lines, which was induced by the inflammatory process. These results demonstrate that the active components in PF seed residue showed a preventive effect on the aberrant colonic epithelial cell progression by modulating inflammatory microenvironments from the infiltrated macrophage or inflammatory response of aberrant cells. Moreover, consumption of PCE could alter rat microbiota, which might be related to health benefits. However, the mechanisms of PCE on the microbiota, which are related to inflammation and inflammatory-induced colon cancer progression, need to be further investigated. Full article

This study examined the effects of multi-strain probiotics (BL) and Perilla frutescens seed extract (PSE), alone or in combination, on weaning piglets. In total, 96 weaning piglets were allocated into four treatments: CON group (the basal diet), PSE group (basal diet + 1g/kg PSE), BL group (basal diet + 2 g/kg BL), and BL+PSE group (basal diet +1 g/kg PSE + 2 g/kg BL) according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The supplementation of BL or PSE improved the gain to feed ratio. Dietary BL reduced diarrhea occurrence and Escherichia coli, but increased Lactobacillus counts in the ileal digesta. Dietary PSE tended to increase Lactobacillus counts in the ileal digesta. Interactive effects were found in terms of ileal villus height, the gene expression of IL-1β, and malondialdehyde in the ileal mucosa. Dietary BL lowered malondialdehyde in the spleen, liver, and jejunal mucosa but increased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver and ileum mucosa. The supplementation of PSE improved superoxide dismutase in serum and T-AOC in the liver, and reduced MDA in liver, spleen, and jejunum mucosa. Taken together, BL or PSE showed positive effects, improving growth and intestinal morphology and enhancing antioxidant capacity. However, their interaction showed no beneficial effects on the antioxidant indices and the intestinal morphology of weaned piglets. Full article