ABSTRACT

Perilla includes review articles describing the cultivation, traditional and modern applications, the chemical, pharmacological, medical and clinical studies of this plant and its active compounds. The cell culture of Perilla, the genetic control of the plant, and the isolation and structural elucidation of a number of its active compounds such as terpenoids, phenolics, glycosides, flavonoids and anthocyanins are discussed. Also reflected is the use of Perilla seed oil, containing a high degree of a-linolenic acid (n-3 fatty acid) an essential fatty acid in human nutrition and beneficial in the treatment of disease. Special focus is given to the recent development in the preparation and application of Perilla leaf extract for the treatment of allergies. This comprehensive treatment of Perilla should be of interest to everyone involved in medicinal and aromatic plant research.

1. Introduction 2. Cultivation of Perilla 3. Cell and Tissue Cultures of Perilla 4. Applications and Prescriptions of Perilla in Traditional Chinese Medicine 5. Anti-inflammatory and Antiallergic Activities of Perilla Extracts 6. Perilla and the Treatment of Allergy - A Review 7. A Clinical Investigation of Perilla Extract Cream for Atopic Dermatitis 8. The Development and Application of Perilla Extract as an Anti-Allergic Substance 9. Lipid Composition and Nutritional and Physiological Roles of Perilla Seed and its Oil 10. Chemical Studies on the Constituents of Perilla frutescens 11. Chemotypes and Pharmacological Activities of Perilla 12. Molecular Biology in Perilla frutescens: Isolation of Specifically Expressed Genes in Chemotypes 12. The Chemistry and Applications of Anthocyanins and Flavones from Perilla Leaves 14. Anthocyanins from Perilla