Perilla oil rich in α-linolenic acid inhibits neuronal apoptosis and the expression of inflammation-mediator protein in apoE KO mice

ApoE KO mice and its wild type mice were fed atherogenic diet containing either 10% lard (LD) or perilla oil (PE). In apoE KO group fed PE (APE), brain total cholesterol and trigrlyceride concentrations were reduced by 8 and 17%, respectively, than apoE KO group fed LD (ALD). Brain lipid peroxidation and NFκB expression of APE were inhibited by 20.83 and 60% compared to those for the ALD. Neuronal apoptosis of APE was significantly reduced by 37% than ALD group. These results suggest that PE would ameliorate the brain damage under hypercholesterolemia induced by atherogenic diet via inhibiting the oxidative stress and inflammation.