Perilla oil improved platelet function and lowered inflammation in smokers, trial finds

by Seoul National University of Science and Technology

edited by Swati Mestri, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In South Korea, it is the second-leading cause of death, and its incidence has continued to rise in recent years. CVD places a substantial burden on public health systems, society and the economy while also reducing quality of life. As a result, identifying effective strategies for prevention and management remains a major public health priority.

Perilla frutescens, or perilla leaves, is a commonly used herb in many Asian countries for both culinary and medicinal purposes. In South Korea, the leaves are commonly eaten fresh, pickled or used to wrap seasoned meats. Perilla oil, extracted from the plant's seeds, is also widely consumed. The oil is particularly rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid that can account for up to 70% of its composition. Previous studies suggest that ALA may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and could help support cardiovascular health. Perilla oil could potentially support cardiovascular health, but its specific effects are underexplored.

To investigate this, a research team led by professor Ji Yeon Kim from the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology at Seoul National University of Science and Technology in South Korea conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial evaluating perilla oil supplementation. "While perilla oil has long been an integral part of Korean food culture, its potential cardiovascular benefits have not been fully recognized," Kim explains. "Our research demonstrates these benefits and shows how perilla oil can support cardiovascular health and improve blood circulation."

Their study was published in Food & Function.

The trial enrolled 65 healthy smokers ages 19–69. Smokers were selected because smoking is a major risk factor for CVD and is associated with substantially higher cardiovascular mortality than nonsmokers. Participants had no clinically significant diseases and were not taking regular medications. They were randomly assigned by an independent third party to receive either perilla oil capsules (three capsules twice daily) or visually identical placebo capsules for eight weeks.

After eight weeks, the participants were tested for various biological markers. Compared with the placebo group, perilla oil supplementation significantly prolonged collagen-induced ADP closure time (C-ADP CT), a measure of platelet function. The supplementation also reduced the mRNA expression of the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and T-box transcription factor 21 (TBX21).

Furthermore, perilla oil increased levels of ALA and its metabolites in both plasma and red blood cells, and it also increased plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another omega-3 fatty acid associated with anti-inflammatory effects and lower triglyceride levels. The team also found that higher EPA levels were positively correlated with longer C-ADP CT, suggesting a relationship between omega-3 status and platelet function.

The researchers also performed a high-fat, high-glucose loading test, which is often used to assess the cardiovascular effects of functional dietary ingredients under metabolic stress. Perilla oil did not produce significant benefits in this test, suggesting that a longer supplementation period may be needed to detect such effects.

"The results of our study show that perilla oil supplementation positively modulates blood coagulation and reduces inflammation, even in individuals with high oxidative stress such as smokers," Kim remarks. "Perilla oil can be easily integrated into daily diets as a vegan-friendly alternative to fish oil for individuals seeking to manage vascular health."

Although more research is required, the findings suggest that perilla oil can be an accessible, everyday dietary intervention that could potentially improve blood flow and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Publication details

Sehee Lee et al, Effects of perilla oil on platelet and inflammatory responses in healthy smokers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial, Food & Function (2026). DOI: 10.1039/d6fo01112h

Journal information: Food & Function

Clinical categories

CardiologyNutrition & Healthy eatingHealthy livingPreventive medicineCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by Seoul National University of Science and Technology Who's behind this story?

Swati Mestri

Swati Mestri holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as a content editor since 2019. She has experience editing research documents across technology, health care, and materials science, and has a particular interest in technology and space. Full profile →

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Citation: Perilla oil improved platelet function and lowered inflammation in smokers, trial finds (2026, July 30) retrieved 30 July 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-perilla-oil-platelet-function-lowered.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.