The Effects of Perilla frutescens Extracts on IgA Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Chronic renal disorders (CRD) are associated with significant comorbidities and necessitate complex therapeutic management. As time passed, Perilla frutescens (PF) became a promising therapeutic option for CRD. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to outline the therapeutic effects of PF extracts on various models of immunoglobulin a (IgA) nephropathy; (2) Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used to find relevant studies. All prospective interventional studies that evaluated the effect of PF extract versus placebo on rat models of chronic renal disorders were assessed according to the international guidelines; (3) Results: Our search yielded 23 unique records, out of which only five were included in the analysis. Our results showed that administration of PF extracts led to a statistically significant reduction in proteinuria and PCNA levels in rats that received high doses of the extract as well as in the PCNA level and DNA synthesis in rats that received low doses of the extract. The evaluated outcomes benefited from a low degree of heterogeneity; (4) Conclusions: Some of the evaluated outcomes were significantly reduced by both high and low doses of extracts from Perilla frutescens. Further studies are needed to determine the exact effect over IgA nephropathy in human subjects.

Applications of Perilla frutescens Extracts in Clinical Practice

(1) Background: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is an important pharmaceutical crop that remains a focus point for researchers worldwide due to its complex phytochemical constituents, medicinal effects, and nutraceutical properties. The literature data are based on animal and cell culture studies, so the clinical evidence for the therapeutic effects is poorly outlined. The aim of this review was to provide an updated and thorough understanding of Perilla frutescens applications in clinical practice using data derived from human studies, and to outline the potential directions and perspectives for further studies on this crop. (2) Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used to find relevant studies. All interventional studies that evaluated the effect of Perilla frutescens in human subjects were assessed. (3) Results: The main perspectives that can be contoured from the presented literature evaluation are an important clinical effect of Perilla frutescens extracts on allergic rhinoconjuctivitis, especially in young populations, a potent hypolipemiant effect that, in conjunction with increased serum biological antioxidant potential, determines significant improvements in cognitive function and a wide variety of miscellaneous clinical effects that need further exploration. (4) Conclusions: Supplementary research is needed in order to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of Perilla frutescens in controlled clinical settings.

Perilla frutescens: A Rich Source of Pharmacological Active Compounds

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, an important pharmaceutical and nutraceutical crop, is widely cultivated in East Asian countries. In this review, we present the latest research findings on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of P. frutescens. Different databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CNKI, Agricola, Scifinder, Embase, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, and Web of Science, were searched to present the best review. In this review, we clearly represent the active constituents responsible for each and every pharmacological activity, plausible mechanism of action, and maximum inhibitory concentrations, as well as IC₅₀ values. Approximately 400 different bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, terpenoids, quinines, phenylpropanoids, polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, coumarins, anthocyanins, carotenoids, neolignans, fatty acids, polycosanols, tocopherols, and sitosterols, have been reported in the leaves, seeds, roots, and aerial parts of P. frutescens. The bioactive constituents of P. frutescens exhibited different enzyme-inhibition properties, including antihyaluronidase effects and aldose reductase inhibitory, α-glucosidase inhibitory, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, and tyrosinase inhibitory properties. P. frutescens showed strong anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anti-spasmodic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. Hence, the active constituents of P. frutescens used in the treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications (retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy), prevention of hyperuricemia in gout patients, hyper pigmentation, allergic conditions, skin inflammation, skin allergy, atopic dermatitis, periodontosis, androgenic alopecia, gastric inflammation, oesophagitis, carcinogenesis, cardiovascular, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cerebral ischemic disorders. Furthermore, we revealed the most active constituents and possible mechanisms of the pharmacological properties of P. frutescens.

Recent development in biological activities and safety concerns of perillaldehyde from perilla plants: A review

Monoterpene Perillaldehyde (PAE) is a major component of the essential oil extracted from perilla plants (Perilla frutescens), which has been used as a leafy vegetable and a medicinal agent. PAE has gained a lot of attention in recent years because of its antifungal and other microbial activities and, human health benefits. PAE has also been used as food additives, perfume ingredients, and traditional medicine concoctions. Biological analyses of PAE have revealed that it has good antioxidant activities and can serve as organic fruit and food preservative. Animal studies indicated potent anticancer, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory effects of PAE. Also, PAE is certified "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) and not mutagenic. However, moderation during usage is advisable, as minor adverse effects are associated with a very high dosage. Despite the newly reported findings, its properties have not been thoroughly summarized and reviewed. Also, clinical trials and official large-scale field applications of PAE in the agricultural sectors are yet to be reported. In this review, updated PAE research progress was provided, focusing on its antifungal and other antimicrobial properties and the mechanisms behind it, phytochemical profile, pharmacological effects, and safety concerns.HighlightsIsolation and recovery techniques of PAE from perilla plants have been developed and improved in recent years.PAE is a potential anti-oxidant and antifungal agent that can be widely used in the food industry.PAE can be developed into drug ingredients for pharmaceutical industries due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-depressant activities.PAE can be safely used in human when low and moderate dosage is used.

Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigations of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (PF) is an annual herbal medicinal, aromatic, functional food, and ornamental plant that belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. The origin of perilla traces back to East Asian countries (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and India), where it has been used as a valuable source of culinary and traditional medicinal uses. The leaves, seeds, and stems of P. frutescens are used for various therapeutic applications in folk medicine. In the absence of a comprehensive review regarding all aspects of perilla, this review aims to present an overview pertaining to the botanical drug, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and biological activity. It was found that the taxonomic classification of perilla species is quite confused, and the number of species is vague. Perilla has traditionally been prescribed to treat depression-related disease, anxiety, asthma, chest stuffiness, vomiting, coughs, colds, flus, phlegm, tumors, allergies, intoxication, fever, headache, stuffy nose, constipation, abdominal pain, and indigestion, and acts as an analgesic, anti-abortive agent, and a sedative. Until now, 271 natural molecules have been identified in perilla organs including phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, triterpenes, carotenoids, phytosterols, fatty acids, tocopherols, and policosanols. In addition to solvent extracts, these individual compounds (rosmarinic acid, perillaldehyde, luteolin, apigenin, tormentic acid, and isoegomaketone) have attracted researchers' interest for its pharmacological properties. Perilla showed various biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotection effects. Although the results are promising in preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo), clinical studies are insufficient; therefore, further study needs to be done to validate its therapeutic effects and to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Phytochemical and phytopharmacological review of Perilla frutescens L. (Labiatae), a traditional edible-medicinal herb in China

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., a worldwide distributed plant, is an important economic crop and with a long cultivation history in China as well as some other countries in Asia. Except for the edible applications, the plant of P. frutescens is also traditionally used as a medicinal herb in China for thousands years. The leaves, seeds and stems of P. frutescens are recommended by the Chinese Pharmacopeia as three medicinal materials for various therapeutic applications. In the past decades, amount investigations have been done about different aspects for P. frutescens. However, no literature review about these works has been compiled. This review aims to present the findings of research conducted up-to-date (2015) on the traditional use, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities and toxicities of P. frutescens to provide scientific evidence for well-understanding and future research of P. frutescens. It was found that more than 100 compounds have been reported for P. frutescens and most of them are contributed to its medical benefits such as anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anticancer, anti-microbial, anti-depressive and anti-cough effects. Toxicology studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety of P. frutescens to provide information on their dosages and usages.