Portulaca oleracea L.: a review of phytochemistry and pharmacological effects

Portulaca Oleracea L. Phenolic Amide Methyl (3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoyl) Valylprolinate Attenuates Diethylhexyl Phthalate-Induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells' Inflammation Through NLRP3 and NF-κB Pathways

Twelve polyphenol derivatives were obtained in a protective activity-guided isolation from the Portulaca oleracea L. extract on a cell model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure. Among them, methyl (3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl) valylprolinate (PP-10) performed the most protective activity and inhibited DEHP exposure-induced HUVECs' apoptosis. PP-10 also inhibited the DEHP-induced inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8) and adhesion molecule (ICAM-1 andVCAM-1) overexpression. Furthermore, DEHP-induced NLRP3 inflammasomes' and NF-κB signaling pathway activation was significantly inhibited after the PP-10 treatments. Of note, the current results suggest the potential application of Portulaca oleracea L. and PP-10 in the prevention of DEHP-induced inflammatory damages in HUVECs.

Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of digestive inflammatory cancer transformation: Portulaca oleracea L. as a promising drug

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat various types of inflammation and tumors of the digestive system. Portulaca oleracea L. (POL), has been used in TCM for thousands of years. The chemical composition of POL is variable and includes flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and organic acids and other classes of natural compounds. Many of these compounds exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer-transforming effects in the digestive system.

AIM OF STUDY

In this review, we focus on the potential therapeutic role of POL in NASH, gastritis and colitis and their associated cancers, with a focus on the pharmacological properties and potential mechanisms of action of the main natural active compounds in POL.

METHODS

The information and data on Portulaca oleracea L. and its main active ingredients were collated from various resources like ethnobotanical textbooks and literature databases such as CNKI, VIP (Chinese literature), PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier and Google Scholar (English literatures), Wiley, Springer, Tailor and Francis, Scopus, Inflibnet.

RESULTS

Kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, quercetin, genistein, EPA, DHA, and melatonin were found to improve NASH and NASH-HCC, while kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin played a therapeutic role in gastritis and gastric cancer. Apigenin, luteolin, myricetin, quercetin, genistein, lupeol, vitamin C and melatonin were found to have therapeutic effects in the treatment of colitis and its associated cancers. The discovery of the beneficial effects of these natural active compounds in POL supports the idea that POL could be a promising novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cancers of the digestive system.

CONCLUSION

The discovery of the beneficial effects of these natural active compounds in POL supports the idea that POL could be a promising novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cancers of the digestive system. However, clinical data describing the mode of action of the naturally active compounds of POL are still lacking. In addition, pharmacokinetic data for POL compounds, such as changes in drug dose and absorption rates, cannot be extrapolated from animal models and need to be measured in patients in clinical trials. On the one hand, a systematic meta-analysis of the existing publications on TCM containing POL still needs to be carried out. On the other hand, studies on the hepatic and renal toxicity of POL are also needed. Additionally, well-designed preclinical and clinical studies to validate the therapeutic effects of TCM need to be performed, thus hopefully providing a basis for the validation of the clinical benefits of POL.

A critical overview of challenging roles of medicinal plants in improvement of wound healing technology

PURPOSE

Chronic diseases often hinder the natural healing process, making wound infections a prevalent clinical concern. In severe cases, complications can arise, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. While allopathic treatments offer numerous options for wound repair and management, the enduring popularity of herbal medications may be attributed to their perceived minimal side effects. Hence, this review aims to investigate the potential of herbal remedies in efficiently treating wounds, presenting a promising alternative for consideration.

METHODS

A literature search was done including research, reviews, systematic literature review, meta-analysis, and clinical trials considered. Search engines such as Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used while retrieving data. Keywords like Wound healing 'Wound healing and herbal combinations', 'Herbal wound dressing', Nanotechnology and Wound dressing were used.

RESULT

This review provides valuable insights into the role of natural products and technology-based formulations in the treatment of wound infections. It evaluates the use of herbal remedies as an effective approach. Various active principles from herbs, categorized as flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and phenolic compounds, have shown effectiveness in promoting wound closure. A multitude of herbal remedies have demonstrated significant efficacy in wound management, offering an additional avenue for care. The review encompasses a total of 72 studies, involving 127 distinct herbs (excluding any common herbs shared between studies), primarily belonging to the families Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Apiaceae. In research, rat models were predominantly utilized to assess wound healing activities. Furthermore, advancements in herbal-based formulations using nanotechnology-based wound dressing materials, such as nanofibers, nanoemulsions, nanofiber mats, polymeric fibers, and hydrogel-based microneedles, are underway. These innovations aim to enhance targeted drug delivery and expedite recovery. Several clinical-based experimental studies have already been documented, evaluating the efficacy of various natural products for wound care and management. This signifies a promising direction in the field of wound treatment.

CONCLUSION

In recent years, scientists have increasingly utilized evidence-based medicine and advanced scientific techniques to validate the efficacy of herbal medicines and delve into the underlying mechanisms of their actions. However, there remains a critical need for further research to thoroughly understand how isolated chemicals extracted from herbs contribute to the healing process of intricate wounds, which may have life-threatening consequences. This ongoing research endeavor holds great promise in not only advancing our understanding but also in the development of innovative formulations that expedite the recovery process.

Four alkaloids from Portulaca oleracea L. and their anti-inflammatory

Four alkaloids were isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., including two new compounds, 2-(4-amino-6-hydroxy-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3,4-diol, named Olerapyrimidine (1) and (2 R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-((6-hydroxypyridin-3-yl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol, named Olerapyridine (2), and two known compounds including 1H-imidazole (3) and (5S, 6 R, 7S, 8 R)-5-amino-(2Z,4Z)-1,2,3-trihydroxybuta-2,4-dienyloxy-pentane-6,7,8,9-tetraol (4) from P. oleracea for the first time. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Both Olerapyrimidine and Olerapyridine at 20 μM could inhibit the inflammatory factors, IL-1β and TNF-α in the RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS.

Peptide-Membrane Docking and Molecular Dynamic Simulation of In Silico Detected Antimicrobial Peptides from Portulaca oleracea's Transcriptome

The main issue with clinical infections is multidrug resistance to traditional antibiotics. As they are essential to innate immunity, shielding hosts from pathogenic microbes, traditional herbal remedies are an excellent supplier of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), vital parts of defensive systems. Nevertheless, little is known about the bioactive peptide components of most ethnobotanical species. Our goal in this study was to find new, likely AMPs from Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) using in silico studies. The P. oleracea transcriptome was gained from Sequence Read Archive (SRA) and quality controlled, then adapters and other low-quality reads were trimmed. Afterward, de novo assembled and translated open reading frames (ORFs) were determined. Next, the ORFs were filtered based on AMP physiochemical criteria and deep learning methods. Finally, the five selected putative AMPs docked with E. coli and S. aureus membranes that showed penetration in bilayers. In this step, PO2 was chosen as a candidate AMP to analyze with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our data demonstrated that PO2 is more stable in E. coli than in S. aureus. Moreover, these predicted AMPs can be good candidates for in vitro and in vivo analysis.

Efficacy and safety of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) for mild to moderate chronic hand eczema; A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Chronic hand eczema (CHE) is a common skin inflammation with a complex pathophysiology. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is traditionally used in Persian medicine for skin ailments. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a standardized purslane extract (based on traditional Persian medicine) for adults with mild or moderately severe CHE.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at Razi Hospital in Iran from January to June 2022. Participants were randomly allocated to receive an oral purslane or placebo syrup plus topical Vaseline for four weeks. Seventy participants were randomly allocated into the intervention (n = 35) and placebo (n = 35) groups. The primary outcomes were the extent and severity of CHE symptoms over the four weeks after adjusting for age, gender and baseline score. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, symptom recurrence, treatment satisfaction, and adverse events.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment, compared to the placebo group (n = 31), the purslane group (n = 31) had significantly lower physician-reported fissure scores (adjusted mean difference (adjMD): -0.50, 95 %CI -3.93 to -0.34, p = 0.043), participant-reported itching (adjMD -0.51, 95 %CI -2.32 to -0.31, p = 0.041), dryness (adjMD -1.46, 95 %CI -2.89 to -0.03, p = 0.045), and total itching, dryness and thickness (adjMD -2.36, 95 %CI -6.23 to -1.51, p = 0.023) scores. Fourteen participants (purslane n = 10; placebo n = 4, p = 0.068) experienced adverse events of mild to moderate severity.

CONCLUSION

Purslane has some promising effects for reducing the extent and severity of CHE symptoms, and no direct comparisons have been made with commonly used treatments. Future multicenter trials and mechanistic studies are warranted to establish the safety and effectiveness of purslane as a potential therapeutic agent for CHE.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20200707048040N1).

Two new alkaloids from Portulaca oleracea L. and their anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase activities

Two new alkaloids identified as 2-(((S,Z)-1-(1H-azirin-1-yl)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-yl)oxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol and (S,Z)-1-(1H-azirin-1-yl)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-ol, named olerazirin A (1), olerazirin B (2), together with five known alkaloids, identified as cyclo (L-Val-L-Ala) (3), cyclo-(glycyl-L-leucine) (4), cyclo-(Gly-Phe) (5), cyclo (Ser-Phe) (6), (3S,6S)-3-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-6-(phenyl-methyl)-2,5-piperazinedione (7) were obtained from Portulaca oleracea L. using a range of chromatographic techniques, 1D and 2D NMR, and high-resolution electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectroscopic methods, in which the compounds 3-7 were isolated from P. oleracea for the first time. In addition, the results showed that the compounds 1 and 2 have anti-inflammatory activities and compounds 1-3 and 5-7 exhibit the anticholinesterase activities.

Effects of three kinds of Chinese herbs on growth performance, oocysts output and gut microbiota in growing lambs with coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a protozoan intestinal disease that reduces the production of the sheep industry and causes large economic losses for sheep. Although chemically synthesised drugs are routinely employed to treat coccidiosis in sheep, the anticoccidial drug resistance and drug residues in edible meat have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. Herein, the anticoccidial properties of diclazuril, a conventional anticoccidial drug, and Allium sativum, Houttuynia cordata and Portulaca oleracea were assessed. Forty 45-day-old lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were selected and randomly divided into five groups. The results showed that the sheep treated for coccidiosis had considerably decreased average daily gain (ADG) during both administration and withdrawal of the drug compared to the control group. Furthermore, at days 14, 21, 28 and 35, respectively, the three herbs and diclazuril had similar anticoccidial effects, with lower oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group. On day 78, OPG in the three herbal groups was significantly lower than in the diclazuril group. In addition, the abundance and composition of the gut microbiota were changed in sheep treated with the three herbs and diclazuril compared to the untreated sheep. Moreover, some intestinal microorganisms have a correlation with OPG and ADG when using Spearman correlation analysis. In summary, our results suggest that all three herbs produce anticoccidial effects similar to diclazuril and modulate the balance of gut microbiota in growing lambs.

Edible wild plants, chicory and purslane, alleviated diabetic testicular dysfunction, and insulin resistance via suppression 8OHdg and oxidative stress in rats

Testicular dysfunction is a prevalent health problem frequently reported in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidative-inflammatory reactions, hormonal and spermatic abnormalities often accompany this illness. Herbal remedies "particularly wild plants" including chicory (Chicorium Intybus) and purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) are emerging as popular agents for people dealing with these issues due to their ability to act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and exhibit antidiabetic effects. According to the collected data, the daily administration of chicory (Ch) seed-extract (250 mg/kg) or purslane (Pu) seed-extract (200 mg/kg) to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg) for 30 days resulted in the normalization of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fructosamine, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as reducing lipid peroxidation end-product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, aldehyde oxidase (AO) and xanthene oxidase (XO) activities. While caused a considerable improvement in glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) when compared to diabetic rats. Ch and Pu extracts had a substantial impact on testicular parameters including sperm characterization, testosterone level, vimentin expression along with improvements in body and testis weight. They also mitigated hyperlipidemia by reducing total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC) levels, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, oral administration of either Ch or Pu notably attuned the elevated proinflammatory cytokines as tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) together with reducing apoptosis and DNA damage. This was achieved through the suppression of DNA-fragmentation marker 8OHdG, triggering of caspase-3 immuno-expression, and elevation of Bcl-2 protein. The histological studies provided evidence supporting the preventive effects of Ch and Pu against DM-induced testicular dysfunction. In conclusion, Ch and Pu seed-extracts mitigate testicular impairment during DM due to their antihyperglycemic, antilipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties.

Isolation and characterization of dihydrohomoisoflavonoids from Portulaca oleracea L

Eight pairs of dihydrohomoisoflavonoids (1-8), including four pairs of enantiomeric aglycones [(R,S)-portulacanones B (1) and C (2) and (R,S)-oleracones C (3) and Q (4)] and four pairs of epimeric glycosides [portulacasides A-D and epiportulacasides A-D (5-8)], were obtained from Portulaca oleracea L. Among them, (R,S)-oleracone Q (4) and four pairs of epimeric glycosides (5-8) were reported for the first time. The 50% EtOH fraction from the 70% EtOH extract prevented HepG2 human liver cancer cell damage induced by N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP), and the cell survival rate was 62.3%. Portulacaside B (6a), which was isolated from the 50% EtOH fraction, exhibited hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. The compound increased the survival rate of APAP-damaged HepG2 human liver cancer cells from 40.0% to 51.2% and reduced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, resulting in an inhibitory rate of 46.8%.

Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide inhibits ovarian cancer via inducing ACSL4-dependent ferroptosis

The antitumor effect of Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide (POL) has been demonstrated, but whether it curbs the development of ovarian cancer has not been reported. Here, we treated ovarian cancer cells with different concentrations of POL, detected cell activity by CCK-8 assay, and apoptosis rate by flow cytometry. The results showed that SKOV3 and Hey cell survival decreased with increasing POL concentration in a dose-dependent manner. POL significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell migration and increased cell death compared with the control group. Ferroptosis inhibitors, but not apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy inhibitors, reversed POL-induced cell death. Further studies revealed that POL promoted the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased glutathione (GSH) production. Moreover, POL significantly increased the mortality of ovarian cancer cells. In vivo studies confirmed that POL reduced the volume and weight of tumors and increased the levels of Fe2+ and MDA in mice in vivo. Western blot assay revealed that POL increased the expression of ACSL4 in ovarian cancer cells as well as in tumors in mice in vivo. More importantly, the POL-mediated increase in lipid ROS, Fe2+, MDA, and decrease in GSH were significantly reversed after knocking down ACSL4 in ovarian cancer cells. Thus, POL can effectively inhibit ovarian cancer development, which may be achieved by increasing ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis. These results suggest that POL has the potential to be a potential drug for targeted treatment of ovarian cancer.

Two novel ketone alkaloids from Portulaca oleraceaL. and their anti-inflammatory activities

Eleven compounds were obtained from Portulaca oleracea L., including two novel ketone alkaloids, (1, 2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzamide (3) (isolated for the first time), β-adenosine (4), oleracrylimide A and B (5, 6), oleracein H, C, D, Q and A (7-11). The two novel ketone alkaloids were identified as 5-acetyl-5-methylcyclopent-2-ene-1-carboxamide (1), named oleraciamide H, and (2 R,3S,4R,5R)-5-((R)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl glycinate (2), named oleracone Q by spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR and compound fingerprints. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activities were tested via RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS and found that they could significantly inhibit the release of IL-1β and TNF-α.

The additive effect of herbal medicines on lifestyle modification in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is difficult to manage because of its complex pathophysiological mechanism. There is still no effective treatment other than lifestyle modification (LM) such as dietary modifications, regular physical activity, and gradual weight loss. Herbal medicines from traditional Chinese Medicine and Korean Medicine have been shown to be effective in the treatment of NAFLD based on many randomized controlled trials. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the additive effects of herbal medicines on LM in the treatment of NAFLD. Methods: Two databases (PubMed and Cochrane library) were searched using keywords related to NAFLD and herbal medicines. Then the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines combined with LM were selected. The pooled results were analyzed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous data, and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI for dichotomous data. Results and Discussion: Eight RCTs with a total of 603 participants were included for this review study. Participants were administered with multi-herbal formulas (Yiqi Sanju Formula, Tiaogan Lipi Recipe, and Lingguizhugan Decoction) or single-herbal extracts (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Magnoliae offcinalis, Trigonella Foenum-graecum L. semen, Portulaca oleracea L., and Rhus Coriaria L. fructus) along with LM for 12 weeks. The meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in ultrasoundbased liver steatosis measured by odds ratio (OR) in the herbal medicine group than those with LM alone (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 0.7 to 95.2, p < 0.1). In addition, herbal medicines decreased the levels of aspartate transferase (MD -7.5, 95% CI -13.4 to -1.7, p = 0.01) and total cholesterol (MD -16.0, 95% CI -32.7 to 0.7, p = 0.06) more than LM alone. The meta-analysis partially showed clinical evidence supporting the additive benefits of herbal medicines for NAFLD in combination with LM. Whereas, it is necessary to provide a solid basis through higher-quality studies using a specific herbal medicine.

Review of isolation, purification, structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L

Portulaca oleracea L., also known as purslane, affiliates to the Portulacaceae family. It is an herbaceous succulent annual plant distributed worldwide. P. oleracea L. is renowned for its nutritional value and medicinal value, which has been utilized for thousands of years as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The extract derived from P. oleracea L. has shown efficacy in treating various diseases, including intestinal dysfunction and inflammation. Polysaccharides from P. oleracea L. (POP) are the primary constituents of the crude extract which have been found to have various biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, immune-stimulating, and intestinal protective effects. While many publications have highlighted on the structural identification and bioactivity evaluation of POP, the underlying structure-activity relationship of POP still remains unclear. In view of this, this review aims to focus on the extraction, purification, structural features and bioactivities of POP. In addition, the potential structure-activity relationship and the developmental perspective for future research of POP were also explored and discussed. The current review would provide a valuable research foundation and the up-to-date information for the future development and application of POP in the field of the functional foods and medicine.

Kuijie decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by affecting intestinal barrier functions, gut microbiota, metabolic pathways and Treg/Th17 balance in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Currently, the clinical treatment is limited and difficult to achieve satisfactory results for ulcerative colitis (UC). The role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of UC is very complex. Kuijie decoction (KJD) as a classic TCM, is widely used in the clinical treatment of UC, but the mechanism of its action is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is to investigate the protective effects of KJD on UC and the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental model of UC was induced by DSS, and KJD was introduced into the model at the same time. Clinical symptoms, including the body weight, colon length and colon histopathological, were used to measure the severity of colitis. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and tight junction proteins was quantified. The effect of KJD on intestinal flora and intestinal metabolism was determined by 16S rRNA and untargeted metabolomics analysis, respectively. The proportion of Th17 cells and Tregs in the spleen was examined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Mice treated with KJD showed significantly alleviated clinical symptoms and histological damage, such as more body weight gain, lower disease activity index (DAI) score, and longer colon length. The administration of KJD also led to the down-regulation of inflammatory mediators, upregulation of the expression of ZO-1, occludin and decreased claudin-2, as well as altered microbiota composition against DSS challenges (especially an increase of Lachnospiraceae). KJD enhanced the percentage of Treg cells but decreased the proportion of Th17 cells to maintain intestinal homeostasis by improving gut microbiota metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, KJD maintained intestinal epithelial homeostasis by regulating epithelial barrier function, intestinal flora, and restoring Th17/Treg balance. KJD has the potential to be a Chinese medicine treatment for UC.

Two novel alkaloids from Portulaca oleracea L. and their anti-inflammatory bioactivities

Two novel alkaloids were identified as (E)-N-(4-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylamide (1), named Oleracrylimide D, (E)-N-(4-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acrylamide (2), named Oleracrylimide E, isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. The structures were identified by spectroscopic methods, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and UHPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS methods, also, the anti-inflammatory bioactivities of the compounds were studied by ELISA method.

Edible Herbal Medicines as an Alternative to Common Medication for Sleep Disorders: A Review Article

Insomnia is repeated difficulty in falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experiencing lowquality sleep, resulting in some form of daytime disturbance. Sleeping disorders cause daytime fatigue, mental confusion, and over-sensitivity due to insufficient recovery from a sound sleep. There are some drugs, such as benzodiazepines and anti-histaminic agents, which help to sleep induction and insomnia cure. However, the prolonged administration is unsuitable because of tolerance and dependence. Therefore, the researchers attempt to find new medicines with lesser adverse effects. Natural products have always been good sources for developing new therapeutics for managing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, insomnia, and liver and renal problems. Ample research has justified the acceptable reason and relevance of the use of these herbs in the treatment of insomnia. It is worth noting that in this study, we looked into various Persian herbs in a clinical trial and in vivo to treat insomnia, such as Artemisia annua, Salvia reuterana, Viola tricolor, Passiflora incarnata, lettuce, and Capparis spinose. According to research, herb extracts and fractions, particularly n-butanol fractions with non-polar agents, impact the benzodiazepine receptors and have hypnotic properties. Also, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in practically every plant are mentioned making them the popular natural compounds to help with sleep disorders and promote calmness.

Portulaca Oleracea L. (Purslane) Extract Protects Endothelial Function by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress through AMPK Activation in Diabetic Obese Mice

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a food and a traditional drug worldwide. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-diabetic bioactivities; but its activity on diabetic-associated endothelial dysfunction is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of purslane on endothelial function and the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice had 14-week ad libitum access to a high-fat rodent diet containing 60% kcal% fat to induce obesity and diabetes whereas purslane extract (200 mg/kg/day) was administered during the last 4 weeks via intragastric gavage. Primary rat aortic endothelial cells and isolated mouse aortas were cultured with a risk factor, high glucose or tunicamycin, together with purslane extract. By ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, flavonoids and their glycoside products were identified in the purslane extract. Exposure to high glucose or tunicamycin impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in aortas and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress with the downregulation of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling. Co-incubation with purslane significantly ameliorated these impairments. The effects of purslane were abolished by Compound C (AMPK inhibitor). Four-week purslane treatment ameliorated aortic relaxations, ER stress, and oxidative stress in diabetic obese mice. This study supported that purslane protected endothelial function, and inhibited ER stress and oxidative stress in vasculature through AMPK/eNOS activation, revealing its therapeutic potential against vascular complications in diabetes.

Water Extract of Portulaca Oleracea Inhibits PEDV Infection-Induced Pyrolysis by Caspase-1/GSDMD

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) belongs to the coronavirus family and the coronavirus genus, causing contact enteric infection in pigs. It is one of the most serious diseases that threatens the pig industry. However, there is currently no specific drug to prevent and treat the disease, indicating that we need to be vigilant about the spread of the disease and the development of anti-PEDV drugs. The dried aerial parts of the plant Portulaca oleracea in the family Portulacaceous, whose decoction can be used to treat acute enteritis, dysentery, diarrhea, and other diseases. This study explored the potential mechanism of water extract of Portulaca oleracea (WEPO) in PEDV-induced pyroptosis in Vero cells. PEDV decreased the viability of Vero cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, causing cell damage, upregulating the level of intracellular Nlrp3, and inhibiting the level of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and the activation of Caspase-1. WEPO can inhibit PEDV-induced pyroptosis, reduce the elevation of inflammatory factors caused by infection, and exhibit a dose-dependent effect. Knockdown of Caspase-1 and GSDMD separately can induce the production of the inflammatory factor IL-1β to significantly decrease and increase, respectively. These results suggest that WEPO can inhibit cell pyroptosis caused by PEDV and that the Caspase-1 and GSDMD pathways play an important role in this process.

The effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on glycemic indices: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Although several studies have revealed the benefits of purslane on glycemic indices, the results of some studies reject such effect. Therefore, aim of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to assess the effects of purslane supplementation on glycemic indices. Scientific international databases as Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched up to December 2022. For net changes in glycemic indices, weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. Purslane supplementation had a statistically significant reduction in fasting blood glucose [FBG, WMD: -6.37; 95% CI: -9.34, -3.40, p < 0.001]. In addition, purslane did not significant effect on serum levels of insulin [WMD: -0.74; 95% CI: -2.58, 1.10; p = 0.430], homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR, WMD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.88, 0.37, p = 0.429], and QUICKI [WMD: -0.01; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.03, p = 0.317] compared with the control group. The results of our meta-analysis revealed a beneficial effect of purslane supplementation as a tool to decrease FBG levels, but not to HOMA-IR, insulin, and QUICKI levels. However, future high-quality, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm our results.

Natural Food Resource Valorization by Microwave Technology: Purslane Stabilization by Dielectric Heating

The application of microwave-assisted drying is a promising technique due to the features of process sustainability that are usable for responsible productions. It is largely applied for the stabilization of food products, especially in the agro-food sector. In this study, the weed Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane), with its richness in antioxidant components in addition to its recognized pharmacological properties, has been considered due to its potential to be a natural, well-accepted future food. Attention was focused on the role of the heat and mass transfer rates involved in the drying processes on the nutritional profile of the dried products. For this purpose, different drying protocols (convective, microwave irradiation, microwave-vacuum irradiation) were applied to different parts of purslane herb (apical, twigs, entire structures) and chemical characterizations were performed by a GC/MS analysis of the extracts of the dried products. The results show that microwave treatments can assure a better preservation of fatty acids such as SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs (which constitute over 90% of the total components in the apical part, 65% in twigs, and 85% in microwave-vacuum-dried entire purslane samples) and phytosterols (their highest preservation was found in microwave-dried twigs) compared with convective treatments. The chemical composition variability as well as treatment times depend on the drying rates (in microwave treatments, the times are on a minute scale and the rates are up to three orders of magnitude greater than convective ones), which in turn depend on the heating transport phenomena. This variability can lead towards products that are diversified by properties that transform a weed into a valorized food source.

Innovative Bioactive Nanofibrous Materials Combining Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Extracts and Electrospinning Method

Since antiquity, humans have known about plants as a medicinal cure. Recently, plant extracts are attracting more attention as a result of their natural origin and wide range of desirable features. Nanotechnology's progress and innovations enable the production of novel materials with enhanced properties for a broad range of applications. Electrospinning is a cutting-edge, flexible and economical technique that allows the creation of continuous nano- and microfibrous membranes with tunable structure, characteristics and functionalities. Electrospun fibrous materials are used in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, cosmetics, food packaging, agriculture and other fields due to their useful properties such as a large surface area to volume ratio and high porosity with small pore size. By encapsulating plant extracts in a suitable polymer matrix, electrospinning can increase the medicinal potential of these extracts, thus improving their bioavailability and maintaining the required concentration of bioactive compounds at the target site. Moreover, the created hybrid fibrous materials could possess antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make the obtained structures attractive for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. This review summarizes the known approaches that have been applied to fabricate fibrous materials loaded with diverse plant extracts by electrospinning. Some potential applications of the extract-containing micro- and nanofibers such as wound dressings, drug delivery systems, scaffolds for tissue engineering and active food packaging systems are discussed.

A review of the bioactive properties of Mongolian plants, with a focus on their potential as natural food preservatives

Consumers have recently preferred food that is easy to make and of excellent quality, as well as food that is safe, natural, and minimally processed, but has a longer shelf life. Food deteriorates over time as a result of microbiological, chemical, or physical changes. Phytochemicals derived from medicinal and food plants have long been recognized for their biological activity to protect plants. These bioactivities are designed to increase the shelf life of food while inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. The use of natural plant food preservatives containing bioactive compounds as health-promoting agents is particularly intriguing. Furthermore, due to their effectiveness against food spoilage and foodborne pathogens, natural plant-origin antimicrobial compounds have been investigated as alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial compounds for preserving food quality. This review focused on the plant composition and properties that can be utilized as a natural food preservative, as well as the possibilities of using Mongolian medicinal plants.

Promising Natural Medicines for the Treatment of High-Altitude Illness

Li Li, Lin Lin, Bo Wen, Peng-cheng Zhao, Da-sheng Liu, Guo-ming Pang, Zi-rong Wang, Yong Tan, and Cheng Lu. Promising natural medicines for the treatment of high-altitude illness. High Alt Med Biol. 24:175-185, 2023.-High-altitude illness (HAI) is a dangerous disease characterized by oxidative stress, inflammatory damage and hemodynamic changes in the body that can lead to severe damage to the lungs, heart, and brain. Natural medicines are widely known for their multiple active ingredients and pharmacological effects, which may be important in the treatment of HAI. In this review, we outline the specific types of HAI and the underlying pathological mechanisms and summarize the currently documented natural medicines applied in the treatment of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema, high-altitude pulmonary edema, chronic mountain sickness, and high-altitude pulmonary hypertension. Their sources, types, and medicinal sites are summarized, and their active ingredients, pharmacological effects, related mechanisms, and potential toxicity are discussed. In conclusion, natural medicines, as an acceptable complementary and alternative strategy with fewer side effects and more long-term application, can provide a reference for developing more natural antialtitude sickness medicines in the future and have good application prospects in HAI treatment.

Phytochemical Characteristics and Anti-Inflammatory, Immunoregulatory, and Antioxidant Effects of Portulaca oleracea L.: A Comprehensive Review

Portulaca oleracea L. (P. oleracea) or purslane is a plant from the Portulacaceae family, which is used as food and traditional medicine for various diseases. This review article provides comprehensive information on the antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties of P. oleracea and its constituents. The literature survey of the different databases until the end of June 2023 was explored based on the keywords including the "P. oleracea, purslane, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties." The plant contains flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and some other compounds. The results indicated that P. oleracea and its constituents showed anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties through reduction of inflammatory mediators including interferon gama (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide. Improvement in cytokines' serum levels (IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-4) and increased IgG and IgM serum levels, as well as reduction of IgE, phospholipase A2, and total protein were demonstrated for P. oleracea. The plant and its constituents also improved oxidative stress by reduction of oxidant and increase of antioxidant markers. P. oleracea could be considered as an effective remedy for various inflammatory and immune diseases.

TCM "medicine and food homology" in the management of post-COVID disorders

Background

The World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of global concern on May 5, 2023. Post-COVID disorders are, however, becoming more common. Hence, there lies a growing need to develop safe and effective treatment measures to manage post-COVID disorders. Investigating the use of TCM medicinal foods in the long-term therapy of post-COVID illnesses may be beneficial given contemporary research's emphasis on the development of medicinal foods.

Scope and approach

The use of medicinal foods for the long-term treatment of post-COVID disorders is highlighted in this review. Following a discussion of the history of the TCM "Medicine and Food Homology" theory, the pathophysiological effects of post-COVID disorders will be briefly reviewed. An analysis of TCM medicinal foods and their functions in treating post-COVID disorders will then be provided before offering some insight into potential directions for future research and application.

Key findings and discussion

TCM medicinal foods can manage different aspects of post-COVID disorders. The use of medicinal foods in the long-term management of post-COVID illnesses may be a safe and efficient therapy choice because they are typically milder in nature than chronic drug use. These findings may also be applied in the long-term post-disease treatment of similar respiratory disorders.

Mechanism of Qingchang Suppository on repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory inflammatory bowel disease, and the outcomes of conventional therapies of UC, including 5-aminosalicylic acid, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and biological agents, are not satisfied with patients and physicians with regard to adverse reactions and financial burden. The abnormality of the intestinal mucosal barrier in the pathogenesis of UC was verified. Qingchang Suppository (QCS) is an herbal preparation and is effective in treating ulcerative proctitis. The mechanism of QCS and its active ingredients have not been concluded especially in mucosal healing. This review elucidated the potential mechanism of QCS from the intestinal mucosal barrier perspective to help exploring future QCS research directions.

Inhibitory effect of Portulaca oleracea L. aqueous extract and juice on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in an ulcerative colitis mouse model

Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) is an edible and medicinal plant used for treating gastrointestinal diseases. However, the effects of PO on ulcerative colitis (UC) and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of PO aqueous extract (POE) and PO juice (PJ) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in a mouse model and attempted to unravel their underlying mechanisms. The results revealed that PJ contains more bioactive compounds and has more overlapping targets with UC than POE. Both POE and PJ effectively reduced Disease Activity Index scores and inflammatory cell infiltration in the UC mouse model, but PJ had a better effect than POE. Furthermore, PJ inhibited pyroptosis by decreasing the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome, while also repairing the dysfunction of the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. Therefore, based on the study findings, we concluded that PJ can improve DSS-induced UC and may suppress pyroptosis by interfering with the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

HM-chromanone isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. alleviates insulin resistance and inhibits gluconeogenesis by regulating palmitate-induced activation of ROS/JNK in HepG2 cells

Oxidative stress is a major cause of hepatic insulin resistance. This study investigated whether (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone (HM-chromanone), a homoisoflavonoid compound isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., alleviates insulin resistance and inhibits gluconeogenesis by reducing palmitate (PA)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in HepG2 cells. PA treatment (0.5 mM) for 16 h resulted in the highest production of ROS and induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. HM-chromanone, like N-acetyl-1-cysteine, significantly decreased PA-induced ROS production in the cells. HM-chromanone also significantly inhibited PA-induced JNK activation, showing a significant reduction in tumor necrosis factor and interleukin expression levels. Thus, HM-chromanone decreased the phosphorylation of Ser307 in insulin receptor substrate 1, while increasing phosphorylation of serine-threonine kinase (AKT), thereby restoring the insulin signaling pathway impaired by PA. HM-chromanone also significantly increased the phosphorylation of forkhead box protein O, thereby inhibiting the expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and reducing glucose production in PA-treated HepG2 cells. HM-chromanone also increased glycogen synthesis by phosphorylating glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Therefore, HM-chromanone may alleviate insulin resistance and inhibit gluconeogenesis by regulating PA-induced ROS/JNK activation in HepG2 cells.

Remnants from the Past: From an 18th Century Manuscript to 21st Century Ethnobotany in Valle Imagna (Bergamo, Italy)

BACKGROUND

This project originated from the study of an 18th century manuscript found in Valle Imagna (Bergamo, Italy) which contains 200 plant-based medicinal remedies. A first comparison with published books concerning 20th century folk medicine in the Valley led to the designing of an ethnobotanical investigation, aimed at making a thorough comparison between past and current phytotherapy knowledge in this territory.

METHODS

The field investigation was conducted through semi-structured interviews. All data collected was entered in a database and subsequently processed. A diachronic comparison between the field results, the manuscript, and a 20th century book was then performed.

RESULTS

A total of 109 interviews were conducted and the use of 103 medicinal plants, belonging to 46 families, was noted. A decrease in number of plant taxa and uses was observed over time, with only 42 taxa and 34 uses reported in the manuscript being currently known by the people of the valley. A thorough comparison with the remedies in the manuscript highlighted similar recipes for 12 species. Specifically, the use of agrimony in Valle Imagna for the treatment of deep wounds calls back to an ancient remedy against leg ulcers based on this species.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results of this study allow us to outline the partial passage through time fragments of ancient plant-based remedies once used in the investigated area.

Effect of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) on Intestinal Morphology, Digestion Activity and Microbiome of Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii) during Aeromonas hydrophila Infection

Large-scale mortality due to Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) infection has considerably decreased the yield of the Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii). Purslane is a naturally active substance with a wide range of pharmacological functions, but its antibacterial effect on Chinese pond turtles infected by A. hydrophila infection is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of purslane on intestinal morphology, digestion activity, and microbiome of Chinese pond turtles during A. hydrophila infection. The results showed that purslane promoted epidermal neogenesis of the limbs and increased the survival and feeding rates of Chinese pond turtles during A. hydrophila infection. Histopathological observation and enzyme activity assay indicated that purslane improved the intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme (α-amylase, lipase and pepsin) activities of Chinese pond turtle during A. hydrophila infection. Microbiome analysis revealed that purslane increased the diversity of intestinal microbiota with a significant decrease in the proportion of potentially pathogenic bacteria (such as Citrobacter freundii, Eimeria praecox, and Salmonella enterica) and an increase in the abundance of probiotics (such as uncultured Lactobacillus). In conclusion, our study uncovers that purslane improves intestinal health to protect Chinese pond turtles against A. hydrophila infection.

Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activity and Application of Polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane): A Review

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a widely distributed plant with a long history of cultivation and consumption. Notably, polysaccharides obtained from purslane exhibit surprising and satisfactory biological activities, which explain the various benefits of purslane on human health, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifatigue, antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. This article systematically reviews the extraction and purification methods, chemical structure, chemical modification, biological activity and other aspects of polysaccharides from purslane collected in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Flora of China, Web of Science, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar and CNKI databases in the last 14 years, using the keywords "Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharides" and "purslane polysaccharides". The application of purslane polysaccharides in different fields is also summarized, and its application prospects are also discussed. This paper provides an updated and deeper understanding of purslane polysaccharides, which will provide useful guidance for the further optimization of polysaccharide structures and the development of purslane polysaccharides as a novel functional material, as well as a theoretical basis for its further research and application in human health and manufacturing development.

Osmoprotectants play a major role in the Portulaca oleracea resistance to high levels of salinity stress-insights from a metabolomics and proteomics integrated approach

Introduction

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a non-conventional food plant used extensively in folk medicine and classified as a multipurpose plant species, serving as a source of features of direct importance to the agricultural and agri-industrial sectors. This species is considered a suitable model to study the mechanisms behind resistance to several abiotic stresses including salinity. The recently achieved technological developments in high-throughput biology opened a new window of opportunity to gain additional insights on purslane resistance to salinity stress-a complex, multigenic, and still not well-understood trait. Only a few reports on single-omics analysis (SOA) of purslane are available, and only one multi-omics integration (MOI) analysis exists so far integrating distinct omics platforms (transcriptomics and metabolomics) to characterize the response of purslane plants to salinity stress.

Methods

The present study is a second step in building a robust database on the morpho-physiological and molecular responses purslane to salinity stress and its subsequent use in attempting to decode the genetics behind its resistance to this abiotic stress. Here, the characterization of the morpho-physiological responses of adult purslane plants to salinity stress and a metabolomics and proteomics integrative approach to study the changes at the molecular level in their leaves and roots is presented.

Results and discussion

Adult plants of the B1 purslane accession lost approximately 50% of the fresh and dry weight (from shoots and roots) whensubmitted to very high salinity stress (2.0 g of NaCl/100 g of the substrate). The resistance to very high levels of salinity stress increases as the purslane plant matures, and most of the absorbed sodium remains in the roots, with only a part (~12%) reaching the shoots. Crystal-like structures, constituted mainly by Na⁺, Cl^-, and K⁺, were found in the leaf veins and intercellular space near the stoma, indicating that this species has a mechanism of salt exclusion operating on the leaves, which has its role in salt tolerance. The MOI approach showed that 41 metabolites were statistically significant on the leaves and 65 metabolites on the roots of adult purslane plants. The combination of the mummichog algorithm and metabolomics database comparison revealed that the glycine, serine, and threonine, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways were the most significantly enriched pathways when considering the total number of occurrences in the leaves (with 14, 13, and 13, respectively) and roots (all with eight) of adult plants; and that purslane plants employ the adaptive mechanism of osmoprotection to mitigate the negative effect of very high levels of salinity stress; and that this mechanism is prevalent in the leaves. The multi-omics database built by our group underwent a screen for salt-responsive genes, which are now under further characterization for their potential to promote resistance to salinity stress when heterologously overexpressed in salt-sensitive plants.

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) improves the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and autophagic actions of metformin in the hippocampus of diabetic demented rats

Great body of evidence links cognitive decline to diabetes/insulin resistance. In this study the effect of Portulaca oleracea (PUR) (100 mg/kg), Metformin (MET) (200 mg/kg), a first line diabetes mellitus type 2 therapy, and their combination on cognitive function and hippocampal markers in diabetic rats were assessed. Male rats were injected with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg on two successive weeks) followed by 4 weeks of treatment. Possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy enhancing mechanisms of these drugs were investigated in the hippocampal tissue using spectrophotometry, ELISA, and western blotting. Diabetic rats suffered significant cognitive impairment in Morris's water maze, hippocampal TBARS elevation, GSH depletion, and SOD upregulation. In addition, diabetes promoted the secretion of hippocampal inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, and depleted anti-inflammatory cytokines as IL-10. Such detrimental changes were reversed by MET and/or PUR. Notably, AMPK was upregulated by diabetes, then restored to normal by MET and/or PUR. The pattern of change in AMPK expression was concomitant with changes in oxidative and inflammatory burden. Hence, AMPK is believed to be a key mediator in most of the measured pre-AD markers in this study. However, from our results, PUR is believed to have non-AMPK dependent actions as well. In conclusion, antidiabetic agents as metformin and purslane extract proved to be invaluable in addressing the cognitive decline and hippocampal changes that arise as a complication of diabetes. They mainly acted through AMPK pathway; however, their usefulness was not limited to AMPK pathways since their combination was suggested to have a different mechanism.

Probiotic-fermented Portulaca oleracea L. alleviated DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Probiotic fermentation is a mild and safe biological method to boost the performance of herbs. Portulaca oleracea L. (PO), with folklore records of purgative, anti-dermatological and anti-epidemic effects, has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the potential of PO for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been sufficiently explored.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of PO and fermented Portulaca oleracea L. (FPO) and explore their intrinsic mechanisms.

METHODS

By utilizing 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced AD mice as a model, the histopathology of the lesions was observed using H&E and toluidine blue staining methods; the levels of immunoglobulin E (Ig E), histamine (HIS), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in serum were measured using ELISA, whereas, the expression of inflammatory cytokines in skin lesion was measured using ELISA and immunohistochemistry experiments. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IKKα, NF-κB mRNA was measured using qPCR; and the expression of TNF-α、p-IKKα, p-IκBα, p-NF-κB was measured using western blotting.

RESULTS

Both 20 mg/mL PO and FPO alleviated mast cell infiltration and lesion pathology, reduced serum levels of Ig E, HIS and TSLP, down-regulated the expression of AD-related inflammatory cytokines, such as, TNF-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-4, and increased filaggrin expression. Furthermore, they inhibited the expression of TNF-α, IKKα, and NF-κB genes and TNF-α, p-IKKα, p-NF-κB and p-IκBα proteins associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

PO and FPO has a positive therapeutic potential on AD, indicating that it may be employed as alternative therapies for AD.

Modulatory Effect of Medicinal Plants and Their Active Constituents on ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels (KATP) in Diabetes

Hyperglycemia, which is a chronic metabolic condition caused by either a defect in insulin secretion or insulin resistance, is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM). Sustained hyperglycemia leads to the onset and development of many health complications. Despite the number of available antidiabetic medications on the market, there is still a need for novel treatment agents with increased efficacy and fewer adverse effects. Many medicinal plants offer a rich supply of bioactive compounds that have remarkable pharmacological effects with less toxicity and side effects. According to published evidence, natural antidiabetic substances influence pancreatic β-cell development and proliferation, inhibit pancreatic β-cell death, and directly increase insulin output. Pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium channels play an essential role in coupling glucose metabolism to the secretion of insulin. Although much of the literature is available on the antidiabetic effects of medicinal plants, very limited studies discuss their direct action on pancreatic KATP. The aim of this review is to focus on the modulatory effects of antidiabetic medicinal plants and their active constituents on pancreatic KATP. The KATP channel should be regarded as a key therapeutic milestone in the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, continuous research into the interaction of medicinal plants with the KATP channel is crucial.

Wound healing activity and flavonoid contents of purslane (Portulaca grandiflora) of various varieties

Purslane has various varieties with different active metabolite contents that need to be explored further to find each variety's activity in wound healing. Different purslane herbs showed different antioxidant activities, suggesting they will have different flavonoid content and wound healing activity. This research aimed to evaluate purslane's total flavonoid content and wound-healing activity. The wounds induced on the rabbit back skin were divided into 6 treatment groups such as negative control, positive control, 10 and 20% purslane herbs extract varieties A, and 10 and 20% purslane herbs extract varieties C. Wounds were treated twice daily for 2 weeks, and measured on day 0, 7, 11, and 14. Total flavonoid content was measured with the AlCl3 colorimetric method. The wounds treated with 10 and 20% purslane herbs extract varieties A (Portulaca grandiflora magenta flower) have 0.32 ± 0.55 and 1.63 ± 1.96 mm wound diameters on day 7 and healed on day 11. The wounds treated with 10 and 20% purslane herbs extract varieties C (Portulaca grandiflora pink flower) showed 2.88 ± 0.51 and 0.84 ± 1.45 mm diameter and healed on day 11. The purslane herb A showed the highest wound healing activity, and purslane varieties A and C total flavonoid contents were 0.55 ± 0.02 and 1.58 ± 0.02% w/w, respectively.

Cross-sectional survey and Bayesian network model analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in Austria: investigating public awareness, usage determinants and perception of scientific support

OBJECTIVES

Despite the paucity of evidence verifying its efficacy and safety, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is expanding in popularity and political support. Decisions to include TCM diagnoses in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision and campaigns to integrate TCM into national healthcare systems have occurred while public perception and usage of TCM, especially in Europe, remains undetermined. Accordingly, this study investigates TCM's popularity, usage and perceived scientific support, as well as its relationship to homeopathy and vaccinations.

DESIGN/SETTING

We performed a cross-sectional survey of the Austrian population. Participants were either recruited on the street (in-person) or online (web-link) via a popular Austrian newspaper.

PARTICIPANTS

1382 individuals completed our survey. The sample was poststratified according to data derived from Austria's Federal Statistical Office.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Associations between sociodemographic factors, opinion towards TCM and usage of complementary medicine (CAM) were investigated using a Bayesian graphical model.

RESULTS

Within our poststratified sample, TCM was broadly known (89.9% of women, 90.6% of men), with 58.9% of women and 39.5% of men using TCM between 2016 and 2019. Moreover, 66.4% of women and 49.7% of men agreed with TCM being supported by science. We found a positive relationship between perceived scientific support for TCM and trust in TCM-certified medical doctors (ρ=0.59, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.73). Moreover, perceived scientific support for TCM was negatively correlated with proclivity to get vaccinated (ρ=-0.26, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.08). Additionally, our network model yielded associations between TCM-related, homeopathy-related and vaccination-related variables.

CONCLUSIONS

TCM is widely known within the Austrian general population and used by a substantial proportion. However, a disparity exists between the commonly held public perception that TCM is scientific and findings from evidence-based studies. Emphasis should be placed on supporting the distribution of unbiased, science-driven information.

Physico-Chemical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of Polylactide/Portulaca oleracea Extract Electrospun Fibers

Electrospinning was used to create fibrous polylactide (PLA) materials loaded with Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) plant extract obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide. Morphological, physico-chemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics of the fibers were studied. According to the SEM results, the diameters of smooth and defect-free fibers fabricated by a one-pot electrospinning method were at micron scale. All the obtained materials possess good mechanical properties. Additionally, it was found that the composite fibers exhibited considerable antioxidant activity. The antimicrobial activity of the fibrous materials against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined as well. In vitro studies showed that the electrospun biomaterials had no cytotoxic effects and that the combination of PLA and the P. oleracea extract in the fiber structure promoted cell survival and proliferation of normal mouse fibroblasts. The obtained results reveal that microfibrous mats containing the polyester-PLA and the plant extract-P. oleracea can be suitable for applications in wound healing.

Evaluating the effect of an Iranian traditional medicine-based herbal candy on body composition and appetite in overweight and obese adults: A preliminary study

Objective

Obesity is an important public health concern in the world. Considering the limited medications and their side effects and lack of a known effective way to reduce appetite, traditional herbs have been considered a complementary treatment for obesity. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM)-based herbal candy on body composition and appetite in obese and overweight adults.

Materials and Methods

In this preliminary study that conducted in nutrition clinic of Ghaem Hospital of Mashhad, participants were selected from overweight and obese people and randomly assigned to either groups. Participants in the intervention group received herbal candy which contained a combination of Portulaca oleracea, Plantago psyllium, and peanut oil, while participants in the control group received placebo candy for 8 weeks. The primary (appetite response, and weight changes) and secondary (body mass index (BMI), anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and laboratory variables) outcomes were collected at baseline and during the intervention.

Results

Fifty participants between the age of 18 and 65 years old were included in this study. Herbal candy resulted in a greater reduction in mean weight and BMI compared to placebo (p<0.001). Mean of hunger, satiety, and eating capacity indicators decreased more significantly at all three intervals (30 min after herbal candy, 1 hour after meal and 2 hours after meal) at lunch and dinner meal in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

A combination of produced herbal candy at a dose of 4 g (2 pcs), given half an hour before each meal for 8 weeks, can be effective in reducing weight and appetite in obese and overweight people.

Modulation of Immune-Related Gene Expressions in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) by Dietary Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) Extract

To promote fish's immunity against pathogens in the aquaculture industry, fish dietary fortification with additives or compounds has increasingly attracted attention. In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used as an animal model to investigate the effects of purslane, Portulaca oleracea, extract (PE) on the relative expression level of some immune-related genes. A total of 300 zebrafish were randomly divided into four treatment groups and fed for 8 weeks with the basal diets supplemented with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% of PE. The control group was fed with a basal diet without PE. At the end of 8 weeks, the mRNA expression levels of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lysozyme (LYZ) in the fish were evaluated. The results showed that the mRNA expression level of IL-1β was significantly upregulated in the fish fed with 1 and 2% PE compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the evaluation of the mRNA expression level of TGF-β was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in the 1.5 and 2% fed groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, the IL-10 was significantly downregulated in all treated groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The expression of the TNF-α gene was not affected amongst all groups by the inclusion of PE in the zebrafish diet (p > 0.05). Based on the results, the diet supplemented with 1.5 and 2% PE significantly upregulated the mRNA expression levels of LYZ and SOD, respectively, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of PE may result in beneficial effects on some immune responses via upregulation of some immune genes in zebrafish.

Multi-omics Analysis of Young Portulaca oleracea L. Plants' Responses to High NaCl Doses Reveals Insights into Pathways and Genes Responsive to Salinity Stress in this Halophyte Species

Soil salinity is among the abiotic stressors that threaten agriculture the most, and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a dicot species adapted to inland salt desert and saline habitats that hyper accumulates salt and has high phytoremediation potential. Many researchers consider purslane a suitable model species to study the mechanisms of plant tolerance to drought and salt stresses. Here, a robust salinity stress protocol was developed and used to characterize the morphophysiological responses of young purslane plants to salinity stress; then, leaf tissue underwent characterization by distinct omics platforms to gain further insights into its response to very high salinity stress. The salinity stress protocol did generate different levels of stress by gradients of electrical conductivity at field capacity and water potential in the saturation extract of the substrate, and the morphological parameters indicated three distinct stress levels. As expected from a halophyte species, these plants remained alive under very high levels of salinity stress, showing salt crystal-like structures constituted mainly by Na+, Cl-, and K+ on and around closed stomata. A comprehensive and large-scale metabolome and transcriptome single and integrated analyses were then employed using leaf samples. The multi-omics integration (MOI) system analysis led to a data-set of 51 metabolic pathways with at least one enzyme and one metabolite differentially expressed due to salinity stress. These data sets (of genes and metabolites) are valuable for future studies aimed to deepen our knowledge on the mechanisms behind the high tolerance of this species to salinity stress. In conclusion, besides showing that this species applies salt exclusion already in young plants to support very high levels of salinity stress, the initial analysis of metabolites and transcripts data sets already give some insights into other salt tolerance mechanisms used by this species to support high levels of salinity stress.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43657-022-00061-2.

Portulaca oleracea L. organic acid extract inhibits persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in vivo

Staphylococcus aureus continues to be one of the most important pathogens capable of causing a wide range of infections in different sites of the body in humans and livestock. With the emergence of methicillin-resistant strains and the introduction of strict laws on antibiotic usage in animals, antibiotic replacement therapy has become increasingly popular. Previous studies have shown that Portulaca oleracea L. extract exerts a certain degree of bacteriostatic effect, although the active ingredients are unknown. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of the organic acid of P. oleracea (OAPO) against S. aureus was examined using a series of experiments, including the minimum inhibitory concentration, growth curve, and bacteriostasis curve. In vitro antibacterial mechanisms were evaluated based on the integrity and permeability of the cell wall and membrane, scanning electron microscopy, and soluble protein content. A mouse skin wound recovery model was used to verify the antibacterial effects of OAPO on S. aureus in vivo. The results showed that OAPO not only improved skin wound recovery but also decreased the bacterial load in skin wounds. Moreover, the number of inflammatory cells and cytokines decreased in the OAPO-treated groups. In summary, this study reports a botanical extract that can inhibit S. aureus in vitro and in vivo, indicating the potential use of OAPO to prevent and control S. aureus infection in the near future.

Portulaca oleracea alleviates CCl4-induced acute liver injury by regulating hepatic S100A8 and S100A9

Objective

Acute liver injury (ALF) is a potential factor of many serious hepatopathies. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a possible environmental toxicant that can induce ALF. Portulaca oleracea (PO) is one of the most popular edible herbs and has several biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects. We explored the significance of PO in regulating inflammatory function in animal models and cultured hepatocytes during liver damage caused by CCl₄.

Methods

The effect of PO on ALF was evaluated by CCl₄-induced mice models in vivo. Hepatic levels of transaminase activities and inflammatory factors were examined. The gene and protein expression of S100A8 and S100A9 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Meanwhile, the efficacy of PO was certified by HepG2 cells in vitro. The transaminase activities, inflammatory factors, and the protein expression of S100A8 and S100A9 were also detected.

Results

Animal tests showed that pretreatment with PO reduced the liver pathological tissue damage and the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALT and LDH, as well as reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) secretion in CCl₄-induced liver injury mice. Simultaneously, HepG2 cells pretreated with PO exhibited a significant decrease in the activities of ALT and AST. Moreover, PO resulted in a significant downregulation of the pro-inflammatory markers S100A8, S100A9 gene and protein expression on CCl₄ induced acute liver injury was demonstrated entirely in vivo and vitro experiments.

Conclusion

PO may down-regulate S100A8 and S100A9 and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines' release, indicating a potential clinical effect for controlling the disease.

The hematopoietic potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Portulaca oleracea in a phenylhydrazine model of anemia

Objective

Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as Purslane, is traditionally used as a sour, diuretic, and cooling herb with hemostatic properties. The present study evaluates the antianemic effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of P. oleracea in a phenylhydrazine model of anemia.

Materials and Methods

Phenylhydrazine (60 mg/kg/day, i.p., two consecutive days) was used to induce anemia in rats. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. oleracea were prepared, and three methods of treatment were defined with two doses (500 and 750 mg/kg, i.p.). The hematological parameters and blood cell morphology, total and direct bilirubin, and morphology, and pathology of bone marrow were evaluated.

Results

The results showed that the methanolic extract has better effects than aqueous extract in improving phenylhydrazine-induced anemia. Our results showed that administration of 500 and 750 mg/kg of P. oleracea methanolic extracts for 4 days could protect against the development of anemia caused by phenylhydrazine.

Conclusion

In summary, the methanolic extracts of P. oleracea might be effective in phenylhydrazine-induced anemia.

Green synthesis of multifunctional MgO@AgO/Ag2O nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and toluidine blue

Introduction: In this paper, MgO@AgO/Ag₂O nanoparticles were greenly synthesized, the current idea is to replace the harmful chemical technique with an ecofriendly synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing biogenic sources. Methods: The current investigation was conducted to create silver oxide NPs decorated by MgO NPs (namely, MgO@AgO/Ag₂O nanocom-posite) using the leaves extract of Purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) as the reducing and capping agent. The nanopowder was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron mi-croscope, BET surface area, Fourier transform infrared, and UV-vis spectrophotom-eter studies. XRD studies reveal the monophasic nature of these highly crystalline silver nano-particles. SEM studies the shape and morphology of the synthesis AgO/Ag₂O and MgO@AgO/Ag₂O NPs. The presence of magnesium and oxygen was further confirmed by EDS profile. Results and discussion: The surface area was found to be 9.1787 m²/g and 7.7166 m²/g, respectively. FTIR analysis showed the presence of specific functional groups. UV-vis spectrophotometer studies show the absorption band at 450 nm due to surface plasmon resonance. The results have also indicated the high performance of the greenly synthesized AgO/Ag₂O NPs and MgO@AgO/Ag₂O NPs for photocatalytic activity dye degradation (methylene blue and toluidine blue).

Human Lung Cancer (A549) Cell Line Cytotoxicity and Anti-Leishmania major Activity of Carissa macrocarpa Leaves: A Study Supported by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS Metabolites Profiling and Molecular Docking

Lung cancer and cutaneous leishmaniasis are critical diseases with a relatively higher incidence in developing countries. In this research, the activity of Carissa macrocarpa leaf hydromethanolic extract and its solvent-fractions (n-hexane, EtOAc, n-butanol, and MeOH) against the lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and Leishmania major was investigated. The MeOH fraction exhibited higher cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ 1.57 ± 0.04 μg/mL) than the standard drug, etoposide (IC₅₀ 50.8 ± 3.16 μg/mL). The anti-L. major results revealed strong growth inhibitory effects of the EtOAc fraction against L. major promastigotes (IC₅₀ 27.52 ± 0.7 μg/mL) and axenic amastigotes (29.33 ± 4.86% growth inhibition at 100 μg/mL), while the butanol fraction exerted moderate activity against promastigotes (IC₅₀ 73.17 ± 1.62), as compared with miltefosine against promastigotes (IC₅₀ 6.39 ± 0.29 μg/mL) and sodium stibogluconate against axenic amastigotes (IC₅₀ 22.45 ± 2.22 μg/mL). A total of 102 compounds were tentatively identified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the total extract and its fractions. The MeOH fraction was found to contain several flavonoids and flavan-3-ol derivatives with known cytotoxic properties, whereas the EtOAc fractions contained triterpene, hydroxycinnamoyl, sterol, and flavanol derivatives with known antileishmanial activity. Molecular docking of various polyphenolics of the MeOH fraction with HDAC6 and PDK3 enzymes demonstrates high binding affinity of the epicatechin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and catechin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside toward HDAC6, and procyanidin C2, procyanidin B5 toward PDK3. These results are promising and encourage the pursuit of preclinical research using C. macrocarpa's MeOH fraction as anti-lung cancer and the EtOAc fraction as an anti-L. major drug candidates.

The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Key Signaling Pathways as a Novel Approach to Ameliorating Post-Surgical Adhesions

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal adhesions (PA) are a common complication of abdominal operations. A growing body of evidence shows that inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis at sites of peritoneal damaging could prevent the development of intra-abdominal adhesions.

METHODS

A search of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases was performed using the keywords 'postsurgical adhesion', 'post-operative adhesion', 'peritoneal adhesion', 'surgery-induced adhesion' and 'abdominal adhesion'. Studies detailing the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for peritoneal adhesion prevention were identified, and their bibliographies were thoroughly reviewed to identify further related articles.

RESULTS

Several signaling pathways, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, tissue plasminogen activator, and type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor, macrophages, fibroblasts, and mesothelial cells play a key part in the development of plasminogen activator. Several therapeutic approaches based on anti-PA drug barriers and traditional herbal medicines have been developed to prevent and treat adhesion formation. In recent years, the most promising method to prevent PA is treatment using biomaterial-based barriers.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology of adhesion formation and various agents targeting different pathways, including chemical agents, herbal agents, physical barriers, and clinical trials concerning this matter.