Purpose: Of the study was to determine the influence of the Common perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) extract (PFE) on the myocardial contractility in vitro and as a food supplement in vivo. Methods: Rabbits of the experimental group were 14 days fed with a supplement of 100 mg/kg of PFE. Rabbits of control group were fed with ordinary food. The mechanical activity of isolated myocardial preparations, obtained from the rabbits of both groups, was tested during the perfusion with Ringer solution containing 5 mM of adrenaline and 4.5 mM of CaCl2. For the assessment of the direct influence of PFE on the myocardial contractility in vitro isolated heart preparations were perfused with 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/ml of PFE. Results: The maximum force of isometric contraction, maximum velocity of force development, and maximum velocity of relaxation were higher among the atrial and ventricular preparations from the experimental group, as compared with the control group. Perfusion of the myocardial preparations with different concentrations of PFE revealed slight dose-dependent increase of the parameters of contraction and relaxation. Conclusions: PFE may have dose-dependent positive inotropic and lusitropic effect on the rabbit myocardium. The use of PFE as a food supplement may also increase the contractility of the rabbit myocardium.