Influence of the active compounds of Perilla frutescens leaves on lipid membranes.

The leaves of the annual plant Perilla frutescens are used widely as a spice and a preservative in Asian food as well as in traditional medicine. The active compounds in the leaves are the cyclic monoterpene limonene (1) and its bio-oxidation products, perillaldehyde (2), perillyl alcohol (3), and perillic acid (4). These compounds are known to be biologically active and exhibit antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects that could all be membrane mediated.