Perilla frutescens: A traditional medicine and food homologous plant

Green and efficient extraction of flavonoids from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. leaves based on natural deep eutectic solvents: Process optimization, component identification, and biological activity

In this study, an ultrasonic-assisted natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) was used to extract flavonoids from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. leaves. Of 10 tested NaDESs, that comprising D-(+)-glucose and glycerol exhibited the best total flavonoid extraction rate. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for extraction modeling and optimization, and the total flavonoid content reached 87.48 ± 1.61 mg RE/g DW, which was a significant increase of 5.36% compared with that of 80% ethanol extraction. Morphological changes in P. frutescens leaves before and after extraction were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mechanism of NaDES formation was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, 10 flavonoids were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. In addition, the NaDES extract had better biological activity according to five kinds of antioxidant capacity measurements, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and hyaluronidase (Hyal) inhibition experiments. Moreover, the stability test revealed that the total flavonoid loss rate of the NaDES extract after four weeks was 37.75% lower than that of the ethanol extract. These results indicate that the NaDES can effectively extract flavonoids from P. frutescens leaves and provide a reference for further applications in the food, medicine, health product and cosmetic industries.

Site-specific immobilization of Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 through enzymatic DNA-protein conjugation strategy for lead screening

Immobilization of functional protein, especially G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), is particularly significant in various fields such as the development of assays for diagnosis, lead compound screening, as well as drug-protein interaction analysis. However, there are still some challenges with the immobilized proteins such as undefined loads, orientations, and the loss of activity. Herein, we introduced a DNA conjugation strategy into the immobilization of Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1(CysLTR1) which enables exquisite molecular control and higher activity of the receptor. We used the bacterial relaxases VirD2 as an immobilized tag fused at the C terminus of CysLTR1. Tyrosine residue(Y29) at the core binding site of the VirD2 tag can react with the single-strand piece of DNA(T-DNA) in the form of a covalent bond. Inspired by this strategy, we developed a new immobilization method by mixing the T-DNA-modified silica gel with the cell lysate containing the expressed VirD2-tagged CysLTR1 for 1 hour. We found that the successful formation of DNA-protein conjugate enables the immobilization of CysLTR1 fast, site-specific, and with minimal loss of activity. The feasibility of the immobilized CysLTR1 was evaluated in drug-protein binding interaction by frontal analysis and adsorption energy distribution analysis. The binding of pranlukast, zafirlukast, and MK571 to the immobilized CysLTR1 was realized, and the association constants presented good agreement between the two methods. Rosmarinic acid was retained in the immobilized CysLTR1 column, and the in-vitro test revealed that the compound binds to the receptor in one type of binding site mode. Despite these results, we concluded that the DNA-protein conjugate strategy will probably open up the possibilities for capturing other functional proteins in covalent and site-specific modes from the complex matrices and the immobilized receptor preserves the potential in fishing out lead compounds from natural products.

Perilla juice and ginger juice reduced warmed-over flavor (WOF) in surimi gels: Due to the inhibition of the formation of the WOF compounds and the masking of the WOF

The effects and reasons of perilla juice (PJ) and ginger juice (GJ) on the reduction of "warmed-over flavor" (WOF) in surimi gels were revealed by detecting odor profiles and protein and lipid oxidation degrees of surimi gels, concentrations and odor activity values (OAVs) of WOF compounds. Adding PJ and GJ to surimi gels significantly reduced the WOF and improved the fish fragrance odor, but sodium ascorbate (SA) only weakened the WOF. The (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal's OAVs in the PJ and GJ groups were decreased by >50% compared with the control check (CK) and SA groups. Meanwhile, surimi gels added with PJ and GJ presented lower lipid and protein oxidation degrees. The verification test indicated that PJ and GJ's aroma had a masking effect on the WOF. In conclusion, PJ and GJ reduced the WOF in surimi gels by preventing WOF compounds' production and masking the WOF with their distinct aroma.

Dietary factors and their influence on immunotherapy strategies in oncology: a comprehensive review

Immunotherapy is emerging as a promising avenue in oncology, gaining increasing importance and offering substantial advantages when compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, in the context of immunotherapy, there is the potential for the immune system to either support or hinder the administered treatment. This review encompasses recent and pivotal studies that assess the influence of dietary elements, including vitamins, fatty acids, nutrients, small dietary molecules, dietary patterns, and caloric restriction, on the ability to modulate immune responses. Furthermore, the article underscores how these dietary factors have the potential to modify and enhance the effectiveness of anticancer immunotherapy. It emphasizes the necessity for additional research to comprehend the underlying mechanisms for optimizing the efficacy of anticancer therapy and defining dietary strategies that may reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Persistent investigation in this field holds significant promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes and maximizing the benefits of immunotherapy.

Plant-derived compounds as potential leads for new drug development targeting COVID-19

COVID-19, which was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although some patients infected with COVID-19 can remain asymptomatic, most experience a range of symptoms that can be mild to severe. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell and muscle aches. In severe cases, complications can arise including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, organ failure and even death, particularly in older adults or individuals with underlying health conditions. Treatments for COVID-19 include remdesivir, which has been authorised for emergency use in some countries, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in severe cases. Biological drugs including monoclonal antibodies, such as casirivimab and imdevimab, have also been authorised for emergency use in certain situations. While these treatments have improved the outcome for many patients, there is still an urgent need for new treatments. Medicinal plants have long served as a valuable source of new drug leads and may serve as a valuable resource in the development of COVID-19 treatments due to their broad-spectrum antiviral activity. To date, various medicinal plant extracts have been studied for their cellular and molecular interactions, with some demonstrating anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro. This review explores the evaluation and potential therapeutic applications of these plants against SARS-CoV-2. This review summarises the latest evidence on the activity of different plant extracts and their isolated bioactive compounds against SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on the application of plant-derived compounds in animal models and in human studies.

Recent trends in extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities evaluation of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton polysaccharide

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton is an annual herb plant of the Perilla genus in the Labiatae family, which is commonly utilized as an edible and medicinal resource. Polysaccharides are among the major components and essential bioactive compounds of P. frutescens, which exhibit a multitude of biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-fatigue, immunoregulation, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. As a natural carbohydrate, P. frutescens polysaccharide has the potential to be utilized in the development of drugs and functional materials. In this paper, we provide an overview of progress made on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and bioactivity of polysaccharides from different parts of P. frutescens. The challenges and opportunities for research are discussed, along with the potential development prospects and future areas of focus in the study of P. frutescens polysaccharides.

Assessing the Potential for Genome-Assisted Breeding in Red Perilla Using Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis and Genomic Prediction

Red perilla is an important medicinal plant used in Kampo medicine. The development of elite varieties of this species is urgently required. Medicinal compounds are generally considered target traits in medicinal plant breeding; however, selection based on compound phenotypes (i.e., conventional selection) is expensive and time consuming. Here, we propose genomic selection (GS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS), which use marker information for selection, as suitable selection methods for medicinal plants, and we evaluate the effectiveness of these methods in perilla breeding. Three breeding populations generated from crosses between one red and three green perilla genotypes were used to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the production of major medicinal compounds using quantitative trait locus analysis and evaluating the accuracy of genomic prediction (GP). We found that GP had a sufficiently high accuracy for all traits, confirming that GS is an effective method for perilla breeding. Moreover, the three populations showed varying degrees of segregation, suggesting that using these populations in breeding may simultaneously enhance multiple target traits. This study contributes to research on the genetic mechanisms of the major medicinal compounds of red perilla, as well as the breeding efficiency of this medicinal plant.

Exploring the Biomedical Applications of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Perilla frutescens Flavonoid Extract: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cell Toxicity Properties against Colon Cancer Cells

The present study reports the biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a simple, cost effective and eco-friendly method. In this method, the flavonoid extract of Perilla frutescens (PFFE) was used as a bioreduction agent for the reduction of metallic silver into nanosilver, called P. frutescens flavonoid extract silver nanoparticles (PFFE-AgNPs). The Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrum showed a characteristic absorption peak at 440 nm that confirmed the synthesis of PFFE-AgNPs. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis of the PFFE-AgNPs revealed that flavonoids are involved in the bioreduction and capping processes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirmed the face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure of PFFE-AgNPs. A transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis indicated that the synthesized PFFE-AgNPs are 20 to 70 nm in size with spherical morphology and without any aggregation. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies showed that the average hydrodynamic size was 44 nm. A polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.321 denotes the monodispersed nature of PFFE-AgNPs. Further, a highly negative surface charge or zeta potential value (-30 mV) indicates the repulsion, non-aggregation, and stability of PFFE-AgNPs. PFFE-AgNPs showed cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines, including human colon carcinoma (COLO205) and mouse melanoma (B16F10), with IC50 concentrations of 59.57 and 69.33 μg/mL, respectively. PFFE-AgNPs showed a significant inhibition of both Gram-positive (Listeria monocytogens and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi and Acinetobacter baumannii) bacteria pathogens. PFFE-AgNPs exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity by quenching 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) free radicals with IC50 values of 72.81 and 92.48 µg/mL, respectively. In this study, we also explained the plausible mechanisms of the biosynthesis, anticancer, and antibacterial effects of PFFE-AgNPs. Overall, these findings suggest that PFFE-AgNPs have potential as a multi-functional nanomaterial for biomedical applications, particularly in cancer therapy and infection control. However, it is important to note that further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these nanoparticles in vivo, as well as to explore their potential in other areas of medicine.

An In Vitro Evaluation and Network Pharmacology Analysis of Prospective Anti-Prostate Cancer Activity from Perilla frutescens

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is extensively cultivated in East Asia as a dietary vegetable, and nutraceuticals are reportedly rich in bioactive compounds, especially with anticancer activities. This study explored the in vitro cytotoxic effects of P. frutescens parts' (stems, leaves, and seeds) extracts on prostate cancer cells (DU-145) and possible interactions of putative metabolites to related prostate cancer targets in silico. The ethanol extract of P. frutescens leaves was the most cytotoxic for the prostate cancer cells. From high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, rosmarinic acid was identified as the major metabolite in the leaf extracts. Network analysis revealed interactions from multiple affected targets and pathways of the metabolites. From gene ontology enrichment analysis, P. frutescens leaf metabolites could significantly affect 14 molecular functions and 12 biological processes in five cellular components. Four (4) KEGG pathways, including for prostate cancer, and six (6) Reactome pathways were shown to be significantly affected. The molecular simulation confirmed the interactions of relevant protein targets with key metabolites, including rosmarinic acid. This study could potentially lead to further exploration of P. frutescens leaves or their metabolites for prostate cancer treatment and prevention.