Inhibitory effect of decoction of Perilla frutescens on cultured murine mesangial cell proliferation and quantitative analysis of its active constituents

The leaves of Perilla frutescens (perilla) are a common herb used in Japan for garnishing raw seafood. Previously, we reported that a decoction of perilla leaves had suppressive effects on the progression of glomerulonephritis in an animal model of spontaneous IgA nephropathy. The objective of the present study was to isolate anti-nephritic constituents in the perilla decoction under the guidance of its in vitro anti-proliferative activity on cultured murine mesangial cells, and to measure the contents of the active constituents in decoctions prepared from various perilla chemotypes, which differ in their composition of essential oils and/or Pigments. DNA synthesis of cultured mesangial cells induced by 1% fetal calf serum was significantly inhibited by the perilla decoction (IC50 values, 8.8 microg/ml). Caffeic acid, luteolin 7-O-[beta-glucuronosyl(1-->2)beta-glucuronide], apigenin 7-O-[beta-glucuronosyl(1-->2)beta-glucuronide], scutellarin, and rosmarinic acid were isolated as active constituents. The contents of these phenolic compounds were not significantly different among chemotypes of P. frutescens. Considering the relation between the contents in the perilla decoction and the activities of these compounds, rosmarinic acid represents the in vitro anti-proliferative effect of perilla decoction.