Antiobesity and Antidiabetic Effects of Portulaca oleracea Powder Intake in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6 Mice

Self-Nanoemulsifying Formulation Improves Oral Bioavailability and Insulin Sensitizing Potency of Formononetin-Vitamin E Conjugate in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

The escalating incidence of obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance has become a significant global health concern. In this study, we have developed a self-nanoemulsifying delivery system (SNEDS) of formononetin-vitamin E conjugate (VESylated-FMN) for improving its oral bioavailability and improving insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. The developed SNEDS were characterized using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Thereafter, the loading capacity, in vitro release, thermodynamic, and gastrointestinal stability of the developed formulation were evaluated. The safety and oral bioavailability of VESylated-FMN-SNEDS were assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats, whereas insulin-sensitizing potency was assessed in high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic mice. The VESylated-FMN-SNEDS quickly emulsified on dilution (droplet size ∼79.17 nm) and showed remarkable thermodynamic and gastrointestinal stability. The developed formulation demonstrated enhanced oral bioavailability (∼1.3-fold higher AUC0-t) of VESylated-FMN without liver and kidney injury. Consequently, VESylated-FMN-SNEDS significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in HFD-fed mice compared to VESylated-FMN by upregulating the transcript level of insulin-sensitizing genes. Therefore, the SNEDS formulation could be an effective strategy to augment the oral bioavailability and insulin-sensitizing potency of VESylated-FMN.

Portulaca oleracea L.: literature quantitative research analysis

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) has always been considered a plant with excellent qualities; in fact, it has been consumed for centuries as an edible plant but also used in folk medicine. This work aims to give an updated shot of the main features and potentialities of purslane. A literature quantitative research analysis was carried out. Besides the botanical and geographical aspects, we have explored the nutritional properties and possible beneficial effects on human health due to the presence of bioactive compounds, indicating their traditional use in food and medicine preparation as well as proposing possible future applications. Purslane is a rich source of vitamins, flavonoids, organic acids, lignans, alkaloids, terpenoids, cerebrosides, sterols and minerals; in particular, it is considered a good vegetable source of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. Due to its profile of bioactive components, several potential beneficial effects on humans have been reported, i.e. hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant. Purslane finds several applications: enhancing the nutritional and sensory properties of bread, stabilising yoghurt, improving fish sausages' quality and shelf-life, acting as a natural additive due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, it can be utilised for phytoremediation and recycling drainage water in saline environments.

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.

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.

Antibacterial diarrhea effect and action mechanism of Portulaca oleracea L. water extract based on the regulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolism

BACKGROUND

Portulaca oleracea has served as food and folk medicine in many parts of the world for thousands of years. Portulaca oleracea extract (POE) was prepared from fresh plants. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial diarrhea effect and explore the possible mechanism.

RESULTS

POE was effective in reducing diarrhea rate, improving intestinal tissue, and reducing cytokines concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12 p40 and TNF-α in blood. Besides, the result of histological observation showed that the mucus layer thickness and crypt length in the POE-treated group was higher than that in the model group. The POE could significantly upregulate the protein expression of MUC2, occludin and ZO-1. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that Parabacteroides, Clostridium and Muribaculaceae may be the key functional microflora of POE. The non-targeted metabolomics also suggested that the antibacterial diarrheal effects of P. oleracea may be attributed to the regulation of amino acid metabolism and composition of the gut microbiota.

CONCLUSION

Portulaca oleracea has definite clinical efficacy against bacterial diarrhea and anti-inflammatory effects. Its regulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolism may account for its antibacterial diarrhea and anti-inflammatory effects. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The effects of purslane consumption on glycemic control and oxidative stress: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a herbal remedy with wide range of pharmaceutic properties. Although the beneficial effect of purslane on the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has been shown, there is an inconsistency among the results of previous studies. Therefore, this study is aimed at conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of purslane on glycemic profile and oxidative stress markers. A systematic search was performed in the Scopus, Web of science, PubMed and the Cochrane Library to find articles related to the effect of the purslane on Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin resistance, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) up to September 2022. Among the 611 initial studies that were identified from searching electronic databases, 16 Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) involving 1122 participants (557 cases and 565 controls) were included for data analysis. The results of random-effects modeling demonstrated that purslane consumption significantly reduced FBS (p < .001), MDA (p < .001) and increased TAC (p < .001). However, purslane consumption did not affect HbA1c (p < .109), fasting insulin (p = .298) and HOMA-IR (p = .382). Meta-analyses were performed using both the random- and fixed-effects model where appropriate, and I 2 index was used to evaluate the heterogeneity. This meta-analysis study suggests that purslane has beneficial effects on oxidative stress markers and glycemic parameter. Therefore, it may be a promising adjuvant therapy in T2DM because of its benefits and negligible adverse effects.

Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) on the metabolic syndrome: A review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a disorder with multiple abnormalities, including obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and high blood glucose. MetS is the best-known risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and obesity. With the globally increasing prevalence of MetS and its related abnormalities, attention to safe and effective prevention and treatment of this complex disorder has been increased. In particular, most treatments have been devoted to using natural agents that could provide more reliable and effective medicinal products with fewer side effects. Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is an herb whose therapeutic properties could be found in some ancient medical books. Purslane has shown analgesic, antispasmodic, skeletal muscle relaxant, bronchodilator, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, antibacterial, antipyretic, and wound-healing properties. In addition, purslane's hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties have been reported in different studies. The positive effects of this plant include reducing stress oxidative and inflammation along with the atherogenic index, improving insulin level and glucose uptake, decreasing lipid profiles, and ameliorating weight gain. These activities could reduce MetS complications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various in vitro, animal, and human studies regarding the effect of Portulaca oleracea on metabolic syndrome to better understand the underlying mechanisms of action for designing more effective treatments.

Medicinal and edible plants in the treatment of dyslipidemia: advances and prospects

Dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which lead to the high mortality, disability, and medical expenses in the worldwide. Based on the previous researches, the improvement of dyslipidemia could efficiently prevent the occurrence and progress of cardiovascular diseases. Medicinal and edible plants (MEPs) are the characteristics of Chinese medicine, and could be employed for the disease treatment and health care mostly due to their homology of medicine and food. Compared to the lipid-lowering drugs with many adverse effects, such as rhabdomyolysis and impaired liver function, MEPs exhibit the great potential in the treatment of dyslipidemia with high efficiency, good tolerance and commercial value. In this review, we would like to introduce 20 kinds of MEPs with lipid-lowering effect in the following aspects, including the source, function, active component, target and underlying mechanism, which may provide inspiration for the development of new prescription, functional food and complementary therapy for dyslipidemia.

Portulaca oleracea L. Extract Regulates Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism via the AMPK/MicroRNA-33/34a Pathway in Rats Fed a High-Cholesterol Diet

This study examined the effect of extruded Portulaca oleracea L. extract (PE) in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and microRNA (miR)-33/34a pathway. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into three groups and fed either a standard diet (SD), a high-cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid (HC), or an HC diet containing 0.8% PE for 4 weeks. PE supplementation improved serum, liver, and fecal lipid profiles. PE upregulated the expression of genes involved in cholesterol efflux and bile acids’ synthesis such as liver X receptor alpha (LXRα), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G5/G8 (ABCG5/8), and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and downregulated farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in the liver. In addition, hepatic gene expression levels of apolipoprotein A-l (apoA-1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), ATP-binding cassette subfamily A1/G1 (ABCA1/G1), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), and scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1), which are related to serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism, were upregulated by PE. Furthermore, hepatic AMPK activity in the PE group was higher than in the HC group, and miR-33/34a expression levels were suppressed. These results suggest that PE improves the cholesterol metabolism by modulating AMPK activation and miR-33/34a expression in the liver.