Abstract

Moein Bozorgi and Keyvan Khukhan

The antioxidant properties of perilla seed, leaf and stalk extracts were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals scavenging activities, reducing power and metal chelating ability. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of perilla leaf extract was 57.5%, a value which was higher than scavenging activity of other perilla extracts at 15.0 μg/ml. Based on superoxide radical scavenging effect, the perilla leaf extract was the most effective (64.2%) one followed by perilla seed extract (55.1%) and perilla stalk extract (20.1%) at 10.0 μg/ml. Reducing powers of perilla seed, leaf and stalk extracts were excellent. Chelating effects of perilla seed, leaf and stalk extracts were increased with the increasing concentration. The data shows that perilla leaf extract has effective antioxidant functions, especially in DPPH and superoxide radicals scavenging activities and reducing power. The results indicate that the 50% aqueous-methanol extracts of perilla leaf can be used as a new functional food and pharmaceutical agent.