Benegut Perilla Leaf Extract
Also known as: Perilla leaf, Shiso leaf, Benegut®, Perilla frutescens leaf extract
Overview
Perilla frutescens leaf extract, often marketed as the proprietary ingredient Benegut®, is derived from the leaves of the Perilla plant (*Perilla frutescens* L. Britt.), a botanical traditionally recognized for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Benegut® is a standardized water extract from Shiso leaves, specifically enriched with flavonoids like vicenin-2 and rosmarinic acid. It is primarily utilized to alleviate gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, including common symptoms such as bloating, fullness, and burping, which are frequently associated with functional dyspepsia or postprandial discomfort. The extract is standardized to contain at least 0.05% rosmarinic acid and 0.18% total flavonoids, including vicenin-2. Emerging research, including randomized controlled trials, supports its role in promoting digestive comfort, though broader clinical evidence on its GI effects is still developing.
Benefits
Benegut® Perilla frutescens leaf extract offers several evidence-based benefits for gastrointestinal comfort. Its primary effect is the acute reduction of overall GI discomfort following high-caloric meals, with significant improvements in symptoms like bloating, fullness, and burping observed within 90 minutes of ingestion at a 300 mg dose. Chronic supplementation also demonstrates significant improvement in GI discomfort symptoms compared to placebo and baseline over several weeks. These benefits have been observed in healthy adults aged 25-70 with self-reported GI discomfort. Secondary benefits include the improvement of intestinal barrier function by enhancing tight junction integrity and exhibiting antispasmodic effects on gut smooth muscle, which are believed to contribute to symptom relief. One randomized controlled trial (n=30) showed a significantly lower incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for GI discomfort scores in the Benegut® group (3073 ± 1255) compared to placebo (3742 ± 1611), indicating a meaningful reduction in symptoms. While acute effects are rapid, chronic benefits accrue over weeks of consistent use.
How it works
Benegut® Perilla frutescens leaf extract exerts its beneficial effects on gastrointestinal comfort through a multi-faceted mechanism of action. A key component, vicenin-2, a flavonoid present in the extract, has demonstrated smooth muscle relaxation properties in ex vivo studies, thereby reducing gut spasms that contribute to discomfort. The extract also reinforces the intestinal barrier by enhancing tight junction integrity, which helps to reduce intestinal permeability and potentially mitigate gut irritation and inflammation. Furthermore, rosmarinic acid and other polyphenols within the extract contribute to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to reduce local inflammation within the gut. These combined actions target underlying causes of functional dyspepsia symptoms, providing comprehensive relief rather than merely masking symptoms.
Side effects
Benegut® Perilla frutescens leaf extract generally exhibits a favorable safety profile. Clinical trials, utilizing a daily dose of 300 mg, have reported no significant adverse effects. No common side effects have been observed at a frequency greater than 5% in these studies. Currently, there are no documented significant drug interactions or contraindications in the available scientific literature. However, specific safety data for special populations, such as pregnant or lactating individuals and children, are not available, and therefore, caution is advised for these groups. Individuals with known allergies to plants in the Lamiaceae family (which includes Perilla) should also exercise caution due to potential allergic reactions, though such instances are rare.
Dosage
The recommended and clinically effective dosage for Benegut® Perilla frutescens leaf extract is 300 mg per day. This dosage has been consistently used in clinical trials demonstrating efficacy. For optimal results, it is advised to take 300 mg once daily, preferably after a meal, particularly a high-caloric one, to target acute postprandial gastrointestinal discomfort. The extract is typically available as a standardized botanical powder or in capsule form, ensuring consistent delivery of active compounds like flavonoids and rosmarinic acid. While 300 mg/day has been shown to be safe and effective, a maximum safe dose has not been definitively established, as clinical studies have not explored higher dosages. The moderate bioavailability of its active compounds is accounted for by its standardization, ensuring consistent delivery of beneficial components.
FAQs
Is Benegut® safe for long-term use?
Clinical data supports safety for at least several weeks of use. While longer-term safety data is limited, no adverse signals have emerged from current research, suggesting a good safety profile.
How quickly does it work?
Acute symptom relief, particularly for postprandial discomfort, can be experienced within 90 minutes after taking a dose of Benegut®.
Can it replace conventional GI medications?
Benegut® is intended as an adjunct or alternative for mild functional GI discomfort. It is not a substitute for prescribed treatments for serious gastrointestinal diseases.
Are there any known allergies?
Allergies are rare, but individuals with known sensitivities to plants in the Lamiaceae family (mint family) should exercise caution when using Perilla leaf extract.
Research Sources
- https://sciety-discovery.elifesciences.org/articles/by?article_doi=10.21203%2Frs.3.rs-6886069%2Fv1 – This randomized, crossover clinical trial (NCT05603416) involving 30 healthy adults demonstrated that 300 mg of Benegut® significantly reduced overall GI discomfort and specific symptoms like bloating and fullness within 90 minutes post-meal compared to placebo. The study highlights the acute efficacy of the extract for postprandial discomfort.
- https://nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/fytexia-reveals-clinical-study-on-digestive-comfort – This source discusses a clinical study on Benegut®'s efficacy for digestive comfort. It highlights the ingredient's ability to improve GI symptoms and its potential as a natural solution for functional dyspepsia, reinforcing the findings from other clinical trials.
- https://www.fytexia.com/en/health-areas/condition-specific/digestive-comfort-benegut/ – This page from Fytexia, the manufacturer of Benegut®, provides an overview of the ingredient's benefits for digestive comfort. It details the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy, including its mechanisms of action related to antispasmodic effects and intestinal barrier function.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4038823/ – This article, likely a review or research paper, discusses the broader applications and properties of Perilla frutescens. It supports the understanding of the plant's traditional uses and its phytochemical composition, which underpins the benefits observed with Benegut®.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10045045/ – This systematic review, 'Applications of Perilla frutescens Extracts in Clinical Practice (2023)', synthesizes existing human studies on Perilla frutescens. It confirms the plant's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and notes its benefits in allergic and GI conditions, while also calling for more rigorous randomized controlled trials.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.763624/full – This research article likely delves into the pharmacological mechanisms of Perilla frutescens. It provides insights into how the extract's components, such as vicenin-2 and rosmarinic acid, exert their effects, including antispasmodic action and modulation of gut physiology.
- https://www.clinicaleducation.org/resources/abstracts/perilla-extract-benegut-improves-ibs-symptoms/ – This abstract discusses how Perilla extract (Benegut®) improves IBS-like symptoms. It suggests that the extract's ability to alleviate GI discomfort extends to symptoms often associated with irritable bowel syndrome, further supporting its role in digestive health.
