OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of action of Perillae FoliumPerilla frutescens (L.) Britt. on lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced inflammatory lung injury.

METHODS Experimental groups were control, model, positive drug, and Perillae Folium extract group. BEAS-2B cells were used as host cells to establish a cell inflammatory injury model using LPS (5 μg·mL⁻¹). Cell damage was evaluated by CCK-8, LDH assay, and flow cytometry, and the expression of inflammatory factors was detected by ELISA. A mouse lung inflammatory injury model was established using LPS (5 mg·kg⁻¹), and the total cell number and total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured to evaluate lung injury. Finally, Network pharmacology was used to predict potential targets of Perillae Folium extract in the treatment of infectious pneumonia, and the mechanism of action was validated by Western blotting.

RESULTS Perillae Folium improved cell growth, increased cell viability, inhibited cell apoptosis, and improved cell damage in vitro, regulating the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) after cell damage; In vivo experiments confirmed that Perillae Folium reduced the total cell number in BALF, decreased the total protein concentration in BALF, and alleviated lung tissue cell apoptosis. Western blotting suggesting that Perillae Folium could inhibit the expression of c-Myc, p-MEK1/2, and SRF.

CONCLUSION Perillae Folium effectively inhibite LPS-induced BEAS-2B cell damage, reduce inflammatory factor levels, decrease the total cell number and total protein concentration in BALF, and improve lung tissue damage. The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of c-Myc, p-MEK1/2, and SRF protein expression by Perillae Folium.