Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: <i>Perilla frutescens</i> has historically been used to protect against inflammation and redox stress. This has been partly attributed to its high polyphenolic content; however, polyphenolic components in <i>Perilla</i> extract remain...

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Main Authors: Frederick Lia, Byron Baron
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Biologics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8449/5/1/2
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author Frederick Lia
Byron Baron
author_facet Frederick Lia
Byron Baron
author_sort Frederick Lia
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: <i>Perilla frutescens</i> has historically been used to protect against inflammation and redox stress. This has been partly attributed to its high polyphenolic content; however, polyphenolic components in <i>Perilla</i> extract remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to characterise the polyphenolic composition in <i>Perilla</i> extract and evaluate its effect on the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), regulating antioxidant defenses during inflammation and oxidative stress. <b>Methods</b>: Hot water extraction from Perilla leaves was followed by fractionation using four solvents of different polarity, namely methanol, butanol, ethyl acetate and ether. The polyphenolic composition of these fractions was analysed using RP-HPLC, and some of these compounds were quantified. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and ortho-diphenolic contents of each <i>Perilla</i> fraction were determined. The antioxidant activity was assessed using metal cation reduction and radical scavenging assays. A dual-luciferase assay using a human NQO1 ARE-luciferase reporter plasmid was employed to quantify Nrf2 activation by the <i>Perilla</i> fractions. <b>Results</b>: HPLC analysis identified 35 polyphenolic compounds, with the highest phenolic content present in the polar fractions and rosmarinic acid being the major constituent. Radical scavenging tests (DPPH and ABTS) confirmed the highest antioxidant capacity in the polar fractions. On cells in vitro, the methanol <i>Perilla</i> fraction displayed the strongest antioxidant activity, showing up to a 1.5-fold increase in human NQO1 ARE-luciferase reporter induction. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study has shown that Perilla extract contains a diversity of polyphenolic compounds contributing to its potent antioxidant effects, with methanol and butanol being the most efficient extraction solvents. While rosmarinic acid is expected to be the major contributor towards providing protection against inflammation and redox stress, further work is required on the synergystic effects between different polyphenols.
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spelling doaj-art-6a428cac6cc941a4a9d37e86975ce99c2025-08-20T03:43:30ZengMDPI AGBiologics2673-84492025-01-0151210.3390/biologics5010002Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In VitroFrederick Lia0Byron Baron1Applied Research & Innovation Centre, Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology MCAST, PLA 9032 Paola, MaltaCentre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta<b>Background/Objectives</b>: <i>Perilla frutescens</i> has historically been used to protect against inflammation and redox stress. This has been partly attributed to its high polyphenolic content; however, polyphenolic components in <i>Perilla</i> extract remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to characterise the polyphenolic composition in <i>Perilla</i> extract and evaluate its effect on the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), regulating antioxidant defenses during inflammation and oxidative stress. <b>Methods</b>: Hot water extraction from Perilla leaves was followed by fractionation using four solvents of different polarity, namely methanol, butanol, ethyl acetate and ether. The polyphenolic composition of these fractions was analysed using RP-HPLC, and some of these compounds were quantified. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and ortho-diphenolic contents of each <i>Perilla</i> fraction were determined. The antioxidant activity was assessed using metal cation reduction and radical scavenging assays. A dual-luciferase assay using a human NQO1 ARE-luciferase reporter plasmid was employed to quantify Nrf2 activation by the <i>Perilla</i> fractions. <b>Results</b>: HPLC analysis identified 35 polyphenolic compounds, with the highest phenolic content present in the polar fractions and rosmarinic acid being the major constituent. Radical scavenging tests (DPPH and ABTS) confirmed the highest antioxidant capacity in the polar fractions. On cells in vitro, the methanol <i>Perilla</i> fraction displayed the strongest antioxidant activity, showing up to a 1.5-fold increase in human NQO1 ARE-luciferase reporter induction. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study has shown that Perilla extract contains a diversity of polyphenolic compounds contributing to its potent antioxidant effects, with methanol and butanol being the most efficient extraction solvents. While rosmarinic acid is expected to be the major contributor towards providing protection against inflammation and redox stress, further work is required on the synergystic effects between different polyphenols.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8449/5/1/2<i>Perilla frutescens</i>polyphenolsredox stressanti-inflammatory responseantioxidant response element
spellingShingle Frederick Lia
Byron Baron
Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro
Biologics
<i>Perilla frutescens</i>
polyphenols
redox stress
anti-inflammatory response
antioxidant response element
title Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro
title_full Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro
title_fullStr Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro
title_short Analysis of Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant Power and Stress-Response Effects of Fractionated <i>Perilla</i> Leaf Extract on Cells In Vitro
title_sort analysis of polyphenolic composition antioxidant power and stress response effects of fractionated i perilla i leaf extract on cells in vitro
topic <i>Perilla frutescens</i>
polyphenols
redox stress
anti-inflammatory response
antioxidant response element
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8449/5/1/2
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