Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic potential of perilla frutescens fixed oil

Abstract Background: The plant Perilla frutescens Linn .belongs to the family Labiatae or Lamiaceae also called as Shiso plant or beefsteak plant purple mint. Perilla seed oil contains high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and these have been well tested as anti-inflammatory compounds that are useful for a variety of inflammatory conditions. Perilla frutescens seeds oil are a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). ALA may also help to prevent and treat depression, reduce menstrual pain, reduce the risk for fatal heart attacks, prevent breast cancer and treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Objectives: To evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of Perilla frutescens fixed oil. Materials and Methods: Albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 150–200 g and Swiss mice weighing 25–30 g were used. For investigating the anti-inflammatory effect of natural products, carrageenan- induced paw edema is a suitable experimental animal model .The carrageenan-induced paw edema method and histamine induced paw edema methods were used for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity. Carrageenan is a mixture of polysaccharides composed of sulphated galactose units and is derived from Irish Sea moss, Chondrous crispus. Histamine is an organic nitrogen compound involved in local responses. It is a biogenic amine. The analgesic effect of Perilla frutescense seed oil was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test and tail flick test. Typhoid paratyphoid A/B Vaccine method is used for evaluation of antipyretic activity. Results: Results were analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Students Newman Keuls multiple comparisons tests. Perilla frutescens fixed oil showed significant antiinflammatory activity from 60 min as compared to vehicle treated animals. This is as comparable to aspirin. The extract showed some significant effect on inflammation and also reduced the number of writhing after acetic acid administration. But the extract does not show any antipyretic activity on Typhoid paratyphoid A/B Vaccine induced pyrexia. Conclusion: It is therefore concluded that Perilla frutescens fixed oil has an antiinflammatory and peripheral analgesic potential