Neuroprotective Effect of Perilla Extracts on PC12 Cells
Pimolvan Senavong MS*, Supranee Kongkham PhD**, Suvaporn Saelim BSc***, Vanussaya Suangkavathin MSc***
Affiliation : * Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, Thailand ** Division of Biochemistry, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, Thailand *** Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, Thailand
Background : Perilla frutescens (L) Britton contains some active principles which had neuroprotective actions.
Objective : The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Perilla extracts on neuroprotection, antioxidation and
neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.
Material and Method: The neuroprotective effect of freeze-dried ethanolic extract from Perilla leaves and cold-pressed seed
oil were tested on PC12 induced with beta-amyloid protein. The inhibition of tau-protein hyperphosphorylation and the
antioxidant enzyme activity were analyzed. The neurite outgrowth bearing cells were investigated and MEK-1 protein
production was analyzed by enzyme immunometric assay.
Results : In PC12 culture induced toxicity by beta-amyloid protein: (1) the decrease in cell viability was attenuated in cells
pretreated with leaf extract 200 mg/ml and oil 50 mg/ml; (2) SOD activity seemed to decrease when pretreated cells with the
extracts; (3) tau phosphorylation was decreased by pretreated cells with50 mg/ml of oil. Moreover, given Perilla leaf extract
or seed oil to PC12 culture, the amount of neurite outgrowth bearing cells increased harmoniously with MEK-1 protein
expression.
Conclusion : Perilla leaf extract and seed oil reversed the effect of beta-amyloid induced toxicity by decreasing oxidative stress
and inhibition of tau-protein hyperphosphorylation. The enhancement of neurite outgrowth by Perilla extracts was also
revealed.
Keywords : Perilla frutescens, Neuroprotection
