title: [The influence of common perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) on non-specific cell-mediated immunity--phagocytosis activity].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of plant preparations, obtained from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton introduced in Lithuania, on non-specific cell-mediated immunity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-specific cellular immunity was estimated by phagocytosis activity. The study of phagocytosis activity in peripheral rabbits blood (ability of leukocytes to phagocyte polystyrene latex parts of 0.8 microm diameter) was performed before (control) and after the experiments (injecting or administering per os perilla leaves extracts for one week and four weeks, respectively). The extracts were prepared from the leaves of perilla using repercolation method. For the studies in vitro the extract containing 1 mg/ml of perilla was used. In the studies in vitro two preparations of Perilla frutescens were used: 1) 32% sterile aqueous solution derivable from extract of perilla leaves and 2) 38% ethanol extract of perilla leaves. RESULTS. The phagocytosis activity studies in vitro showed that after 30 minutes of incubation with Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton extract phagocytosis activity was stimulated from 39+/-1.2 to 61+/-2.2% (p<0.001). Phagocytosis index increased from 1.26 to 1.79. The experiments in vivo showed that injected perilla leaves preparation to rabbits (1.2 mg/kg) increased phagocytic activity compared to the control (32.17+/-2.13%). The largest increase of phagocytosis activity was detected after seven days - 40.67+/-4.68%. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils in peripheral blood of rabbits increased after oral administration of perilla leaves extracts already after one week, but the largest increase of phagocytic activity was detected after four weeks (62.00+/-2.76%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton contains natural substances that increase the activity of phagocytes in vivo and in vitro and stimulate phagocytosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. simogene@one.lt
authors.forename: Genovaite
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simoniene
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jurkstiene
authors.forename: Konstancija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jankauskiene
authors.forename: Virginijus
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gailys
authors.forename: Egidijus
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kevelaitis
authors.forename: Petras Rimantas
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Venskutonis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D031343:Perilla; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations