RESUMEN
Perilla frutescens is one of traditional Chinese diaphoretics, and is produced in many areas of China. The chemical composition is rich in P. frutescens, including volatile oil, aliphatic acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coloring matter and so on. Because of the function of relieving superficial pathogenic factors to dissipate cold and promoting qi flowing to regulate the stomach, P. frutescens can be used to treat the diseases of wind-cold, stagnation of gastrosplenic qi, vomiting and poisoning by eating fish and crab. The study showed that P. frutescens exhibited the effects which related with the traditional uses of relieving cough, bacteriostasis, relieving fever, analgesia, etc., and besides, it showed a few new founded effects, such as sedative effects, antioxidative effects, effects of reducing blood pressure, and regulating glucose/lipid metabolism. This paper summarized the research progess on the chemical composition and main pharmacological activities of P. frutescens, and discussed its therapeutic material basis based on the summarise, which could provide a reference for the development of P. frutescens.