Variation of bioactive principles in different varieties of Perilla frutescens var. crispa

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is an economically and medicinally important annual crop in the Labiatae family, native to East Asia. Depending on morphological characteristics and availability, this species is divided into two varieties such as P. frutescens var. frutescens, the oilseed crop for source of perilla oil, and P. frutescens var. crispa for the aromatic leafy herb [1]. In addition, P. frutescens var. crispa (Jasoyeop in Korean) can be further categorized based on various morphological forms in leaf shapes and colors and flower colors. In this study, to investigate the variation in bioactivities among Jasoyeop varieties, we selected varieties based on their characteristic leaf colors like green-leaved forms, purple-leaved forms, mixed color-leaved forms, and leaf forms that are purple only on the abaxial side. Selected Jasoyeop varieties have been classified into three chemo-types, according to the main components of their essential oils. Comparative analysis on anti-melanogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities was preformed using 70% EtOH extracts obtained from leaves of each varieties. Although no significant difference in anti-inflammatory activity between varieties were detected, the extracts of Pfc 51 exhibited the highest anti-melanogenic activities and Pfc 13 and Pfc 22 extracts strongly inhibited the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cells. The difference in activities seems to be related to the variations in phytochemical content and composition between varieties. The variations observed here should be useful for selection of a beneficial material for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

• References

• 1 Kim HU, Lee KR, Shim D, Lee JH, Chen GQ, Hwang S. Transcriptome analysis and identification of genes associated with ω-3 fatty acid biosynthesis in Perilla frutescens (L.) var. frutescens. BMC Genomics 2016; 17: 474