Anti‐amyloidogenic effects of Perilla frutescens var. acuta on beta‐amyloid aggregation and disaggregation

Beta‐amyloid (Aβ) aggregates are a major cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the inhibition of Aβ aggregation is a good therapeutic target against AD. Thus, the effects of Perilla extract (4–100 µg/mL) on the aggregation of Aβ (20 µM) monomers and disaggregation of pre‐aggregated Aβ aggregates were determined. The Perilla methanol extract and its hexane fraction significantly reduced Aβ aggregation determined by a Theoflavin T fluorescence assay (IC 50  = 24.5 and 19.8 µg/mL, respectively) and confirmed by Western blot analysis with native gels. The inhibition of Aβ aggregation by hexane fraction of Perilla extract (20 and 100 µg/mL) rescued the PC12 cells from Aβ aggregate‐induced toxicity to the levels of DMSO‐treated control groups. Furthermore, hexane fraction efficiently disaggregated the preformed Aβ aggregates (IC 50  = 10.2 µg/mL). Perilla frutescens var. acuta leaves exhibited anti‐amyloidogenic effects against Aβ aggregation and disaggregation. Practical application These results suggest that P. frutescens var. acuta has the potential to be developed as a preventive and therapeutic agent.