title: Inotropic and lusitropic effects of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton extract on the rabbit myocardium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Common perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) is a plant cultivated in many countries around the world. Although its immunomodulating and antioxidative properties are well known, there is a lack of data about the cardiotropic activity of the plant. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Perilla frutescens extract on the myocardial contractility in vitro and as a food supplement in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits of the experimental group were fed with a supplement of 100 mg/kg of Perilla frutescens extract for 14 days. Rabbits of control group were fed with ordinary food. The maximal mechanical activity of isolated myocardial preparations, obtained from the rabbits of both groups, was tested during the perfusion with Ringer's solution containing 5 microM of adrenaline and 4.5 mM of CaCl2. For the assessment of the direct influence of Perilla frutescens extract on the myocardial contractility in vitro isolated heart preparations were perfused with 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/ml of Perilla frutescens extract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum force of isometric contraction, maximum velocity of force development, and maximum velocity of relaxation were higher among the atrial and ventricular preparations from the experimental group, as compared with the control group. Perfusion of the myocardial preparations with different concentrations of Perilla frutescens extract revealed slight dose-dependent increase in the parameters of contraction and relaxation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The consumption of Perilla frutescens extract as a food supplement leads to an increase in the contractility of the rabbit myocardium. Perilla frutescens extract in vitro had a dose-dependent positive inotropic and lusitropic effect on the rabbit myocardium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. igor@kmu.lt
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Korotkich
authors.forename: Zibuokle
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Senikiene
authors.forename: Genovaite
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simoniene
authors.forename: Robertas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lazauskas
authors.forename: Ale
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laukeviciene
authors.forename: Egidijus
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kevelaitis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D031344:Perilla frutescens; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts