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 per illa leaves had suppressive effects on the progression of glomerulonephriti s in an animal model of spontaneous IgA nephropathy. The objective of the p resent study was to isolate anti-nephritic constituents in the perilla deco ction under the guidance of its in vitro anti-proliferative activity on cul tured murine mesangial cells, and to measure the contents of the active con stituents in decoctions prepared from various perilla chemotypes, which dif fer in their composition of essential oils and/or pigments. DNA synthesis o f cultured mesangial cells induced by 1 % fetal calf serum was significantl y inhibited by the perilla decoction (IC50 values, 8.8 mug/ml). Caffeic aci d, luteolin 7-O-[beta -glucuronosyl(1 --> 2)beta -glucuronide], apigenin 7- O-[beta -glucuronosyl(1 --> 2)beta -glucuronide], scutel-larin, and rosmari nic acid were isolated as active constituents. The contents of these phenol ic compounds were not significantly different among chemotypes of P. frutes cens. Considering the relation between the contents in the perilla decoctio n and the activities of these compounds, rosmarinic acid represents the in vitro anti-proliferative effect of perilla decoction.