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Perilla frutescens is commonly used as an n-3-fatty acid source for people living in Northern Thailand. However, cultivated areas are limited because it apparently requires specific growth conditions. Our results suggested that perilla seeds grown at higher altitude in Maehongson province contained more α-linoleic acid (ALA) contents than seeds collected from Chiang Rai and Nan provinces. Furthermore, mass spectrometry, proteomic and gene expression analysis revealed that the increase of KASII and FAD3 proteins was associated with mRNA expression and ALA production. Predictive bioinformatics analysis demonstrated two important transcription factor binding sites, AP2 and B3, are responsible for kasII and fad3 genes, respectively. The AP2 and B3 transcription factor families were known to be responsible for abiotic stress such as drought and temperature changes. From our observation, geographical factors could possibly influence the expression of genes related to fatty acid production. Furthermore, plant responses to abiotic stress environments contribute to the increase of kasII and fad3 genes and their protein expression. However, responsive transcription factors will be further studied as well as other geographical influences for a proof of concept and also to improve growing methods in order to increase perilla productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of perilla leaf extract (PLE) containing polyphenols on various biological functions including antioxidant activity, iron chelation, and red blood cell haemolysis protection. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined by colorimetric assay and HPLC analysis. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH and ABTS assay. The iron chelating effect was examined by the colorimetric method. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by haemoglobin-induced lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid model system. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The antihaemolytic activity by AAPHinduced free radicals. The results revealed that PLE contained high levels of total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids (mainly rosmarinic acid). The IC50 values of PLE by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay were 34.3±3.4 and 9.69±0.14 µg/ml, respectively. The iron-binding effect of PLE was exhibited by complex formation with Fe3+-NTA. The iron-chelating activity displayed a moderate IC50 value of 10.1±0.6 mg/ml. The PLE concentration of 200 µg/ml, significantly inhibited intracellular ROS 45%. The scavenging activity of PLE in haemoglobin-induced lipid peroxidation resulted in 27% inhibition. PLE also prevented AAPH-induced RBC haemolysis. In conclusion, PLE containing phenolic compounds plays a vital role in free radical scavenging and iron-chelating activities and subsequently prevents lipid peroxidation resulting from RBC haemolysis due to oxidative stress. Perilla products may be developed as health supplements, which could probably be used in prophylaxis and treatment of non-communicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]