Defatted perilla seed extract inhibits inflammatory responses Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is a member of the mint family that has long been used to treat symptoms of allergy and the common cold in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In Kampo, a Japanese variant of TCM, perilla is prescribed for asthma—a condition characterized by symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath that can be triggered by allergies. Although the seed of perilla is commonly known for its rich omega-3 fatty acid content, other components such as flavonoids are believed to attribute to its unique, health-promoting qualities. In a study of defatted perilla seed extract, researchers isolated and tested compounds in cell cultures that inhibit 5- and 12-lipoxygenase (LOX)—enzymes in the body that induce allergic as well as other inflammatory responses associated with tumor growth and atherosclerosis. The inhibitory effect of the flavonoid luteolin was found to be 100 times stronger than that of a compound isolated from olive. Other compounds found to inhibit 5- and 12-LOX included rosemarinic acid and chryseriol. These findings led researchers to conclude in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry that "...defatted perilla seed contains a large quantity of luteolin and has the potential to play a role in the regulation of atherosclertic processes, tumor [growth], and allergic diseases." SOURCE: J Agric Food Chem 1998;46:862-65. Advanced Nutrition Publications ©2002
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