title: Anti-allergic effect of Perilla frutescens and its active constituents.
abstract: The leaves of Perilla frutescens Britton (Labiatae) are one of the most popular garnishes in Japan, used as an antidote for fi sh and crab meat allergy or as a food colorant. The present study was conducted to evaluate its anti-allergic effect and to identify its active constituents using mice ear-passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA)-reaction. 48 h after the cutaneous injection of anti-ovalbumin serum into the ears of mice, ovalbumin and evansblue dye were intravenously injected. Perilla was extracted with boiling water, and intraperitoneally injected 15 min before ovalbumin-treatment. Thirty min after ovalbumin-treatment, the ears were removed and the colorant in the ear was colorimetrically quantitated. Perilla extract significantly suppressed the PCA-reaction, which was brought about by rosmarinic acid with a partial contribution from some macromolecular compounds. The anti-allergic titer of rosmarinic acid was more effective than tranilast, which is a modern anti-allergic drug. Perilla and rosmarinic acid are potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kampo Medicinal Sciences, Hokkaido College of Pharmacy, Katsuraoka, Otaru, Japan. makino@hokuyakudai.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Furuta
authors.forename: Hannosuke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wakushima
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005070:Evans Blue; D005260:Female; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects*; D031344:Perilla frutescens; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018515:Plant Leaves; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D005070:Evans Blue; D010047:Ovalbumin