Fatty Acid Content in Perilla Cultivars and Commercial Oils Determined by GC Analysis

The content analysis of fatty acids in Perilla cultivars and commercial oils is conducted through gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Results show that Perilla cultivars, such as Deulsaem and Daesil, contain high amounts of α-linolenic acid (262.22 and 261.97 mg/g, respectively). Among commercial oils, Perilla oil contains a higher amount of α-linolenic acid (515.20 mg/g). Accordingly, α-linolenic acid is a major fatty acid of Perilla cultivars and oil. Therefore, Perilla cultivars could be used as a food supplement for nutritional and pharmaceutical purposes.

Effects of Spa Therapy Combined with Dietary Supplementation with n-3 Fatty Acids on Bronchial Asthma / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

N-3 fatty acids are reportedly effective for asthma. In addition, spa therapy has been reported to be effective for patients with asthma. In the present study, the effects of spa therapy combined with perilla seed oil-rich diet (rich in n-3 fatty acid) were examined on asthma. A total of 14 asthmatic patients had a complex spa therapy and consumed a perilla seed oil-rich diet-rich in α-linolenic acid (α-LNA) for 8 weeks. Generation of leukotriene (LT) C4 by leucocytes, respiratory function were analyzed. The generation of LTC4 by leucocytes decreased significantly for 2, 4 and 8 weeks (P<0.05). Peak expiratory flow (PEF) values increased significantly for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (P<0.05). The values of ventilatory parameters [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced expiratory flow after 25% of expired FVC (FEF₂₅), forced expiratory flow after 75% of expired FVC (FEF₇₅), mean expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC (FEF_25-75)] revealed a significant increase after 4 and 8 weeks of the modified diet (P<0.05). The results suggest that spa therapy combined with a perilla seed oil-rich diet are effective in the treatment of asthma in terms of its ability to suppress LTC4 generation by leucocytes, and in inducing an improvement of pulmonary function.