EFFECT OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA L.) ON DIABETIC VARIABLES IN D-GALACTOSE INDUCED AGING MOUSE MODEL

Characterization of microcirculatory endothelial functions in a D-Galactose-induced aging model

BACKGROUND

Microcirculation health is critical to human health, and aging is an important factor affecting microcirculation health. Although D-Galactose has been widely used in aging research models, there is a lack of relevant studies on D-Galactose simulating microcirculatory aging. Here, we explored microcirculatory endothelial function in D-Galactose-induced aging mice.

METHODS

Intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/(kg·d) of D-Galactose was given to cause senescence in mice. Aging was evaluated by SA-β-gal (senescence-associated β-galactosidase) staining. The auricular skin and hepatic microcirculation of mice were observed and detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and microcirculation apparatus. The aging of microcirculation was analyzed from oxidative stress, endothelial impairment, inflammation, microvascular morphology and hemodynamics.

RESULTS

In aging mice, percentage of SA-β-gal positive area, oxidative stress products reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), endothelial impairment marker syndecan-1 (SDC-1), stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) were all up-regulated. The tortuosity of microvessels increased in aging mice, the linear density did not change significantly, but the total length of narrow microvessels (TLNMV) increased and wide microvessels (TLWMV) decreased, speculate that vasomotor dysfunction may be present. Hemodynamically, both perfusion and velocity of blood flow were reduced in senescent mice, presumably due to endothelial dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction is induced by D-Galactose, leading to microcirculatory aging. In vivo, this is manifested by elevated levels of oxidative stress, impaired endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), and a greater production of chemokines and adhesive molecules. These changes cause vasomotor dysfunction and remodeling, ultimately leading to hemodynamic impairment.

Effects of Portulaca oleracea (purslane) on liver function tests, metabolic profile, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disease. Portulaca oleracea exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. This clinical trial aimed to investigate the potential benefits of Portulaca oleracea in improving NAFLD.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized clinical trial enrolled 70 patients with NAFLD assigned to either the intervention group (n = 35) or placebo group (n = 35) using stratified block randomization. The intervention group received 700 mg Portulaca oleracea supplement for eight weeks, while the control group received placebo capsules. In addition, all participants received a calorie-restricted diet. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed using elastography along with liver function and metabolic tests, blood pressure measurements, body composition analysis and dietary records pre-and post-intervention.

Results

The average age of the participants was 44.01 ± 8.6 years, of which 34 (48.6%) were women. The group receiving Portulaca oleracea showed significant weight changes, body mass index, fat mass index, and waist circumference compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). In addition, blood sugar, lipid profile, liver enzymes aspartate and alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and systolic blood pressure were significantly improved in the intervention group compared to those in the placebo (p < 0.05). During the study, inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators, improved significantly (p < 0.05). Based on the elastography results, the hepatorenal ultrasound index and liver stiffness decreased significantly in the Portulaca oleracea group compared to the placebo (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present clinical trial showed that receiving Portulaca oleracea supplement for eight weeks can improve the condition of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

A review on bioactive phytochemicals and ethnopharmacological potential of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

The Portulaca oleracea L. commonly known as purslane is distributed all over the world and easily grows in diverse soil and climatic conditions. It has been traditionally used as a nutritious and ethnomedicinal food across the globe. Various studies have shown that the plant is a rich source of various important phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins such as A, C, E, and B, carotenoids and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and zinc. It is particularly very important because of the presence of a very high concentration of omega-3- fatty acids especially α-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, which are not generally synthesized in terrestrial plants. Various parts of purslane are known for ethnomedicinal and pharmacological uses because of its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, skeletal muscle relaxant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-insomnia, analgesic, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, wound healing and antiseptic activities. Due to multiple benefits of purslane, it has become an important wonder crop and various scientists across the globe have shown much interest in it as a healthy food for the future. In this review, we provide an update on the phytochemical and nutritional composition of purslane, its usage as nutritional and an ethnomedicinal plant across the world. We further provide a detailed account on ethnopharmacological studies that have proved the ethnomedicinal properties of purslane.

Effect of Portulaca Oleracea (purslane) extract on liver enzymes, lipid profile, and glycemic status in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is the richest green leafy vegetable source of omega-3, especially alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Experimental studies have shown beneficial effects of purslane extract on liver enzymes. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of purslane hydroalcohoic extract in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a randomized double-blinded clinical trial, 74 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg purslane extract or placebo capsules for 12 weeks. Compared with baseline, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (-9 [-17, 0.50] mg/dl; p = .007), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (-4 [-10, -0.50] mg/dl; p = .001), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) (-6.21 ± 9.85 mg/dL; p < .001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (-8 [-11, -1.50] mg/dl; p < .001) insulin resistance (-0.95 ± 2.23; p = .020), triglyceride (-20 [-67.50, 3.50] mg/dl; p = .010), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (-5 [-12, -1] mg/dl; p < .001) decreased significantly in the purslane group. At the end of study, no significant changes were observed in liver steatosis grade, insulin, liver enzymes, total bilirubin, lipid profile, and blood pressure between the two groups. The findings of our study show that purslane extract at the dose of 300 mg/day for 12 weeks has no significant effects on liver enzymes, lipid profile, and glycemic indices in patients with NAFLD.

An investigation of the effect of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) extract on body resistance toward thirst by examining urine and blood variables in laboratory mice

OBJECTIVE

Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) is abundantly found in Iran and is used in both nutritional and traditional medicine. Delaying thirst is one of the uses of the medicinal product of this plant which has been emphasized in Iranian traditional medicine though it was not proven scientifically. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of PO product on thirst.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this research, two main Set of experiments were considered: acute water deprivation group and chronic water restriction group. The urine parameters analyzed were osmolality, and sodium, and potassium concentration, and blood parameters evaluated included blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, osmolality, and sodium, and potassium concentration. The PO dosages were 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg.

RESULTS

The findings showed that the effects of PO 100 and 200 (mg/kg) on blood and urine parameters were greater than that of PO 50 mg/kg, but there were no significant differences between them.

CONCLUSION

In general, these findings indicate that PO extract can play an important role in reducing thirst symptoms most likely by affecting intra- and extra-cellular environments. Also, it is recommended to study the beneficial effects of this plant on diseases that lead to hypokalemia or blood potassium depletion.

The antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects of myricitrin on aged mice with D-galactose

AIM

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of antidiabetic and hepatoprotective of myricitrin in the aged mice induced by D-galactose (D-gal).

BACKGROUND

Aging occurs during a person's life; there has been no way to stop the aging process, but antioxidant and changing lifestyles can delay it.

METHODS

In this experimental study, 72 female adult mice (weighing30-35g) were randomly divided into six groups: 1: control, 2: D-gal at 500mg/kg/d, 3-5: D-gal+ Myricitrin at 5, 10 and 20mg/kg/d 6: D-gal+ Vitamin E at 100mg/kg/d. Aging induced by D-gal for 45 days via intraperitoneal. Myricitrin and Vitamin E administrated orally by gavage for the last 28 days. The blood glucose, insulin level, β-cell function, insulin resistance, hepatic enzymes, lipid profile, and histology of the liver, and pancreas were evaluated.

RESULTS

D-gal injection increased the glucose (p<0.001) and insulin levels (p<0.01) compared to control group. Myricitrin (p<0.01) and Vitamin E (p<0.001) increased insulin and decreased blood glucose levels compared to D-gal group. Myricitrin had a similar impact on insulin levels to vitamin E. Insulin resistance induced in the D-gal group (p<0.001). Myricitrin reduced insulin resistance and increased β-cell function (p<0.01) compared to D-gal group. D-gal elevated (p<0.01) cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride level, myricitrin (p<0.001), and Vitamin E (p<0.05) were reduced.

CONCLUSION

D-gal-induced aging causes the accumulation of RBCs, inflammation in the liver, and changes in the number and diameter of Langerhans islets in the pancreas. Myricitrin improved these D-gal effects. Myricitrin had the anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective effects on the aged mice induced by D-galactose.