LAUSR

Abstract The aim of this research was to compare the phenolic contents and beneficial effects from different organs (roots; main-stems; sub-stems; petioles; leaves; seeds) of Korean species (P. hirtella; P. frutescens; P. citriodora; P. setoyensis) to gather information on the valuable functional properties and breeding sources of perilla. The effects of antioxidant on radicals and the enzyme inhibitory activities (α-glucosidase; tyrosinase) exhibited considerable differences in perilla species and organs (50 % methanol extract, 100 μg/mL). In particular, the P. frutescens and P. citriodora seeds displayed predominant abilities (antioxidant: hydroxyl → 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) → 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) > tyrosinase > α-glucosidase). Moreover, five phenolics (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and apigenin) in this extract were demonstrated by silica gel column chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionisation/mass (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS). The most abundant compounds were observed in P. frutescens seeds (4,856.8 μg/g), while the second major content was exhibited by P. citriodora seeds (4,060.6 μg/g), specifically, rosmarinic acid showed the highest content (4,606.4 and 3,796.0 μg/g) of approximately 95 %, with remarkable differences. In comparison with the other organs, the perilla leaves and roots at 272.4–886.9 and 354.7–993.3 μg/g also showed high content. These findings suggest that the perilla leaves, roots, and seeds may be considered as potent sources of natural nutraceutical uses.