PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS PERILLA/583

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag

Heidelberg 1996.

A Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena. New
York 1995.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen. 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.

Perilla

Perilla fructescens

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plants are the

leaf-bearing branches and leaves.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in 2-blossomed false

whorls in the axils of the triangular bracts in 5 to 15 cm long,

spike-like, downy-haired inflorescences. The calyx is cam-

panulate, bilabiate, 3 to 10 mm long, with a triple-toothed

upper lip and a lower lip divided in two. The corolla is 4 to 5

mm long, almost radial, with a short tube and a broadened,

almost circular section having a whitish, 5-lobed margin.

There are 4 stamens of almost equal length and a superior, 2-

carpeled, 4-chambered ovary. The fruit is globose, gray-

brown, with plirple reticulate stripes and-a-diameter of

approximately 1.5 mm. The pericarp is thin and brittle; the

seeds yellowish-white.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The herb, stands up to 1 m high. The

leaves are long-petiolate. The lamina is wide-ovate, acumi-

nate, rounded at the base, crenate, curly, dull green with

brown-red spots to blackish-purple. The leaves are glossy

and downy-haired along the veins. The stem is square,

branched and downy.

Habitat: The species is found in India, Burma, Japan and

China.

Production: Perilla leaves are the dried leaves and leaf-

bearing branches of Perilla fructescens. Harvesting is from

July to August, after which the leaves and branches are dried

in the sun or shade.

Other Names: Beefsteak Plant

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: constituents vary greatly according to chemo-

type, with perillaldehyde, L-limonene + perillaldehyde,

perilla ketone, myristicin, dill apiole or elsholtzia ketone

predominating

Caffeic acid derivatives: rosmarinic acid (0.4 to 1.7%)

Monoterpene glucosides: including perillosides A to D,

citrusine C

Flavonoids: apigenin glucoside and luteolin glucoside,

estered to some extent with caffeic acid

EFFECTS

Perilla aldehyde (chemotype PA) is sedative and antibacteri-

al in effect; perilla ketone (chemotype PK) acts as a

propulsive in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, a

cytotoxic and antitumorous effect was able to be demon-

strated. Perilla leaves may trigger allergic skin reactions

(Kanzaki & Kimura, 1992.) In at least one study, serum

cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats that were fed Perilla

oil were lowered (Sakono et al, 1993.)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used pharmaceutical^ as an

antiseptic and for diseases of the mouth. The oil may also

have positive antilipidemic effects.

Chinese Medicine: Perilla is used in traditional Chinese

medicine for colds with fever, coughs, shortness of breath,

chills, swelling of the nasal mucous membrane, headache

and to treat poisoning from ingestion of fish or crab. Efficacy

for these indications has not yet been proven.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Use during pregnancy is contraindicated because perillaldeh-

yde was demonstrated to have a mutagenic effect in some in

vitro studies.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The plant

possesses potential for sensitization. In tests with sheep using

.15 to 20 mg/kg body weight administration per infusion,

Perilla ketone triggered pulmonary edema. Perillaldehyde

had mutagenic effect in some in vitro studies.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole, cut, powdered drug prepa-

rations and oil for internal use.

Daily Dosage: Extract (aqueous): 3 to 10 g

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K, Reichling J, Rimpler G,

Schneider G (Eds), Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen