Co-ingestion with γ-cyclodextrin improves bioavailability of α-linolenic acid in Perilla frutescens seed oil

The present study aimed to determine the effects of ingesting perilla oil derived from the seeds of Perilla frutescens as an inclusion complex with γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) in a six-week study, and to elucidate the role of γ-CD in the assimilation of perilla oil. Plasma α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) levels were significantly higher in rats fed a diet containing this inclusion complex compared to those fed the same amount of perilla oil without γ-CD, indicating that γ-CD enhances perilla oil bioavailability. An in vitro analysis of lipolysis revealed that perilla oil was more resistant to porcine pancreatic lipase than soybean oil, a commonly used lipid source in animal diets. However, adding γ-CD accelerated perilla oil lipolysis, which may explain the elevated 18:3n-3 plasma levels in rats fed the inclusion complex. These findings suggest a more efficient way to increase physiological levels of 18:3n-3 and longer n-3 fatty acids when ingesting perilla oil.