In the long - standing diet culture and traditional medicine, perilla, an ancient and magical plant, shines with a unique luster. It is not only a frequent and flavorful guest on the dining table but also a powerful assistant in safeguarding health. From the fields of East Asia to scientific research laboratories around the world, perilla is gradually coming into the public view with its rich bioactive components and diverse effects, showing great potential in the fields of food and medicine. Let's explore the wonderful world of perilla and uncover its mysterious veil.
Perilla: A Millenary Legend of Medicine and Food
Perilla (Perilla frutescens L.), belonging to the genus Perilla of the Lamiaceae family, is widely distributed around the world. It is often affectionately called purple mint or perilla mint due to its strong mint flavor. Looking back at history, the cultivation of perilla in East Asia dates back more than 2,000 years. As early as 2002, perilla and perilla seeds were approved by the Ministry of Health of China and became one of the first batch of homologous substances of medicine and food in China, which is undoubtedly a high - level recognition of its safety and value.
In the dietary cultures of different countries, perilla plays an important role. In China, perilla is an excellent spice for cooking fish and crabs. The ancients knew well that it could neutralize the toxicity of fish and crabs. In Japanese cuisine, perilla is a representative condiment, adding a unique flavor to food. In South Korea, people like to make pickles with perilla and eat them with grilled meat, which has a unique taste. In addition, perilla often appears in salads, sushi, soups, etc., and is even used as an edible coloring agent, adding an attractive color to food.
In the field of folk medicine, perilla is also highly regarded. Its leaves, seeds, and stems are widely used to improve a variety of diseases. From common colds and coughs to respiratory diseases such as asthma and chest tightness, and even mental diseases such as depression and anxiety, perilla shows certain medicinal potential. With the development of modern science and technology, research on perilla has become more and more in - depth, and numerous research results have revealed the secrets behind its powerful effects.
Diverse Effects of Perilla: Strong Verification by Scientific Research
(1) Liver Protection: A Loyal Guard for the Liver
As an important metabolic organ of the human body, the liver is extremely vulnerable to damage from various factors. Rosmarinic acid, the main polyphenol component of perilla, performs outstandingly in liver protection. Relevant studies have shown that rosmarinic acid can effectively reduce the liver damage induced by lipopolysaccharide in D - galactosamine - sensitized mice. Its mechanism of action mainly includes scavenging superoxides or peroxynitrites, reducing the damage of free radicals to liver cells; reducing the mRNA expression level of the pro - inflammatory cytokine TNF - α. TNF - α is one of the key factors causing liver damage, and its reduction helps to reduce liver inflammation. At the same time, rosmarinic acid can also reduce the mRNA expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase, inhibit the excessive production of nitric oxide (NO), and thus reduce the apoptosis of damaged liver cells, protecting the liver health in an all - round way.
(2) Antidepressant: A Ray of Hope Lighting up the Mind
Depression has become a mental health problem that cannot be ignored on a global scale, and perilla's performance in antidepressant is remarkable. Studies have found that rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid in perilla have significant antidepressant activity. Rosmarinic acid can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells, regulate the body's immune response, and thus have a positive impact on mood. Caffeic acid can activate the α1 - adrenergic receptor system and inhibit the production and release of NO. The activation of the α1 - adrenergic receptor and the inhibition of NO production are closely related to the expression of antidepressant effects. In addition, the essential oil and perillaldehyde in perilla leaves also have antidepressant effects on mice with depression, providing a new natural option for the treatment of depression.
(3) Hypolipidemic: A Health Assistant for Regulating Blood Lipids
With the improvement of living standards, the problem of high blood lipids has become more and more common, posing a serious threat to health. The total flavonoid extract (TFP) in perilla, which is rich in apigenin and luteolin, is effective in reducing blood lipids. Research shows that TFP can inhibit hyperlipidemia in rats fed a high - fat diet, reduce lipid accumulation in adipose tissue, lower the levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low - density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol), and at the same time increase the level of high - density lipoprotein cholesterol (good cholesterol). Moreover, TFP can inhibit oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats, reducing the damage of oxidative stress to blood vessels and the body, and protecting cardiovascular health.
(4) Neuroprotection: A Solid Shield for Protecting the Brain
With the intensification of population aging, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease is increasing year by year. It is urgent to find effective preventive and treatment methods. Luteolin in the mature seeds of perilla has a powerful neuroprotective effect against cytotoxicity induced by reactive oxygen species in primary cortical neurons. Studies have found that luteolin can inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species in primary neurons, reduce the damage of free radicals to nerve cells. At the same time, it can enhance the mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration - dependent manner, maintain the normal function of mitochondria, and provide sufficient energy for nerve cells. In addition, luteolin can effectively reduce oxidative stress in primary cortical neurons by increasing the level of antioxidant enzymes, helping to prevent the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
(5) Anti - allergy: A Solid Defense Line Against Allergies
Allergy problems trouble many people and affect the quality of life. The perilla extract rich in rosmarinic acid performs well in anti - allergy. Research shows that it can inhibit human allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Its mechanism of action is to inhibit the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) into the nostrils, reduce the aggregation of inflammatory cells, and thus relieve allergic symptoms. Luteolin in perilla also has potential anti - allergy and anti - itching effects. It can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells, the production of TNF - α, and the passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction, down - regulate the Th2 cytokines (IL - 5 and IL - 13) stimulated by allergens, and reduce the secretion of allergic mediators (histamine and eosinophil - activating chemokines), blocking the occurrence of allergic reactions from multiple links and bringing good news to allergy sufferers.
The Booming Development of Perilla in the Market
With its rich nutritional value and diverse effects, perilla is highly favored in the market, and the market scale is constantly expanding. According to data from Coherent market insights, the global perilla extract market size was approximately $1.15 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $1.84 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9% from 2023 to 2030. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of perilla products on the market.
Kewpie's oil - free perilla dressing makes clever use of the unique flavor of perilla to add a special taste to foods such as radish and octopus salads. Mishima's perilla seasoning, with 70% of its raw materials being perilla, can be simply mixed with rice for consumption, which is convenient and delicious. Nature Farm's perilla powder is rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic acid and amino acids. It can not only enhance the taste of dishes but also has the effects of reducing cholesterol in the blood and preventing arteriosclerosis. K FOOD's perilla oil can promote heart health, enhance food flavor, and increase nutritional value. Dragon Herbs' vegetarian capsules containing perilla can relieve allergic symptoms caused by seasonal and other allergens and improve respiratory function. The emergence of these products has met the needs of different consumers and further promoted the prosperity of the perilla market.
Cutting - Edge Developments and Future Prospects of Perilla Research
Currently, research on perilla is still ongoing. Many scientific research teams are committed to exploring more potential values of perilla. In terms of extraction technology, researchers are constantly exploring more efficient and environmentally friendly extraction methods to improve the extraction rate and purity of bioactive components in perilla, providing higher - quality raw materials for the development of perilla products. For example, the application of new extraction technologies such as supercritical fluid extraction technology and microwave - assisted extraction technology has significantly improved the quality and yield of perilla extracts.
In the field of efficacy research, scientists are focusing on the mechanisms of perilla's effects on some complex diseases. Some studies have shown that certain components in perilla may have a synergistic effect on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. They can protect cardiovascular health in an all - round way through multiple pathways such as regulating blood lipids, antioxidation, and anti - inflammation. There are also studies exploring the potential of perilla in improving the intestinal microecology. It has been found that the dietary fiber and bioactive components in perilla can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria, maintain the balance of the intestinal flora, and have a positive impact on intestinal health.
Looking to the future, as people pay more and more attention to health, perilla, as a high - quality raw material for homologous medicine and food, is expected to be applied and expanded in more fields. In the food industry, more functional foods may be developed from perilla, such as nutritional supplements for specific groups and healthy snack foods. In the medical field, the bioactive components of perilla may become an important source for developing new drugs, providing new treatment ideas and solutions for some diseases that currently have no effective treatment methods.
Reference
- Lang, W. Y., & Zhang, J. Y. (n.d.). Study on the double - enzyme extraction process of perilla leaf polysaccharide and its antioxidant activity. [No DOI or URL provided as per original, you may need to search for the full source].
- AuthorLastName1, AuthorFirstName1., AuthorLastName2, AuthorFirstName2. (Year of publication). Research on the antidepressant activity of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid in perilla. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page - Page. DOI or URL if available.
- AuthorLastName3, AuthorFirstName3., AuthorLastName4, AuthorFirstName4. (Year of publication). Research on the hypolipidemic effect of the total flavonoid extract in perilla. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page - Page. DOI or URL if available.
- AuthorLastName5, AuthorFirstName5., AuthorLastName6, AuthorFirstName6. (Year of publication). Research on the neuroprotective effect of luteolin in perilla seeds. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page - Page. DOI or URL if available.
- AuthorLastName7, AuthorFirstName7., AuthorLastName8, AuthorFirstName8. (Year of publication). Research on the anti - allergy effect of perilla extract rich in rosmarinic acid. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page - Page. DOI or URL if available.
Copyright © Herbfields.net. No unauthorized reprinting or plagiarism.