Planta Med 2012; 78 - CL61
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320296

Prokinetic and antispasmodic constituent discovered in Perilla Frutescens – Development of a gut health ingredient

S Buchwald-Werner 1, H Fujii 2
  • 1Vital Solutions GmbH, D-40764, Langenfeld Germany
  • 2AminoUp Chemical Co, Ltd., 362–32 Shin-Ei Kiyota Sapporo, 004–0839 Japan

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton is an annual herbaceous plant native to Asia1. Perilla leaves are used as food and in traditional medicine. During our phytochemical investigation of Perilla leaves, we discovered the compound, Vicenin 2, which has not been described as key constituent for Perilla leaves before. Furthermore, we elucidated novel potential biological activity for Vicenin 2. First, a relaxant effect on isolated adult male Wistar rat's ileum contraction was investigated. Both a special extract and Vicenin 2 demonstrated antispasmodic effects, inhibiting neurotropic and musculotropic activity. Second, an acute neuroactive effect on the neuronal activity of murine frontal cortex networks was tested by means of electrophysiological multi-channel recording (Figure 1). Vicenin 2 as well as the special Perilla leaf extract showed prokinetic properties and are potential novel active ingredients to prevent and improve functional gastrointestinal discomfort and disease, like IBS.

Figure 1: Primary cultures of murine embryonic cells and microelectrode Array byNeuroProof GmbH