Nutritional and Functional Characterisations of Perilla frutescens Seed Oil and Evaluation of Its Effect on Gastrointestinal Motility

Perilla frutescens seeds contain fixed oil which is a useful edible oil. It is an alternative source of unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic acid i.e. omega-3-fatty acids), phenolic compounds (rosemarinic acids, luteolin chrysoeriol, quercetin, catcehin, protocatechuic acid and apigenin), natural antioxidants and minerals. The present study was carried out to investigate nutritional and functional characterisations, and gastrointestinal motility of P. frutescens seed oil. The perilla oil was used in 3 doses i.e. 5 mL/kg, 7.5 mL/kg and 10 mL/kg body weight by p.o. together with 0.5% carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) as an emulsifying agent. Gastrointestinal motility effect was evaluated by charcoal meal (10% wt/vol.). Laxative activities were assessed for faecal content (%), frequency (times/day), number of faecal pellets, and intestinal propulsion. Petroleum ether extract of perilla seed contained 30%–35% oil. The physical and chemical characteristics were found to be; specific gravity 0.92396 at 31°C, saponification value 180.92, acid value 1.68, peroxide value 1.68, iodine value 135.0 and unsaponifiable matter 1.8%. It may be concluded that perilla seed oil produced laxative effect and increased gastric motility in constipated rats