Premium
Anti‐allergic effect of Perilla frutescens and its active constituents
Author(s) -
Makino Toshiaki,
Furuta Yasuyuki,
Wakushima Hannosuke,
Fujii Hajime,
Saito Kenichi,
Kano Yoshihiro
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1115
Subject(s) - rosmarinic acid , perilla frutescens , perilla , ovalbumin , anaphylaxis , cetirizine , chemistry , tranilast , allergy , pharmacology , traditional medicine , medicine , antioxidant , biochemistry , immunology , antigen , organic chemistry , raw material
The leaves of Perilla frutescens Britton (Labiatae) are one of the most popular garnishes in Japan, used as an antidote for 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 signicantly 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. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.