Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Purslane Extract on Serum Lipids in Rabbits Fed with High Cholesterol Levels

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.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in an Iranian family due to a mutation in the APOE gene (first case report)

Familial Hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal, dominant genetic disorder associated with premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mutations in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes cause the FH phenotype, but in 20% of FH patients, mutations in other genes cause FH. In this regard, we investigated the genetic basis of an Autosomal Dominant Hypercholesterolemia (ADH) phenotype in an Iranian family via next-generation exome sequencing with a panel of hyperlipidemia. We report the first case of FH in an Iranian family due to a mutation in the APOE gene. A 10-year-old female was referred to our genetic clinic with a family history of hypercholesterolemia and high cholesterol level at the age of 3. Evaluation of the lipid profile showed the off total cholesterol of 338 mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C of 247 mg/dl(. We identified a mutation in the APOE gene, c.500_502del /p. Leu167del confirmed co-segregation in three individuals of the family from three generations. This in-frame mutation identified here, the first report in Iran, confirms previous reports that ADH can be caused by mutations within the APOE gene and strongly introduces it as the 4th gene that must be checked in the genetic investigating of FH.

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

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

An Integrative Pharmacology-Based Approach for Evaluating the Potential Effects of Purslane Seed in Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap and TCMIP V2.0

Portulaca oleracea L., known as the “vegetable for long life,” is an annual succulent herb that is widely distributed worldwide. Many clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that purslane seed (MCXZ) can be used as an adjunctive and alternative therapy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the underlying active constituents and pharmacological mechanisms through which MCXZ exerts effects in DM remain unclear. In the present study, we confirmed that MCXZ treatment resulted in hypoglycemic activity, lowering the fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Then, ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry was used to systematically analyze the chemical profile of MCXZ, resulting in the identification of 84 constituents, including 31 organic acids and nine flavonoids. Finally, the Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine was employed to analyze the key active components of MCXZ and the molecular mechanisms through which these components acted in DM. Ten key active compounds were identified based on the topological importance of their corresponding putative targets within the known DM-associated therapeutic target network of known MCXZ putative targets. Functionally, these candidate targets play critical anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia, immunity regulation, and inflammatory roles involving DM-related pathways, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway and Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, which indicated that MCXZ exhibited anti-diabetic activity through multi-faced actions.

Assessing the Impact of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) on Growth Performance, Anti-Oxidative, and Immune Activities in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

In this study, the basal diet was supplemented with ethanolic extract of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and the possible effects on growth performance, anti-oxidative, and immune activities of grass carp were evaluated. Fish with initial weight 1.23 ± 0.11 g were randomly divided into four groups (triplicates) and fed purslane extract at 0% (T0), 0.5% (T1), 1% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the results showed that growth parameters were enhanced in T1 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Lipase activity in T1 and T2 groups increased, whereas no significant changes were noticed in cases of amylase and protease activities (P>0.05). Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were enhanced in all groups fed the supplemented diets in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). However, no significant alteration was noticed in the case of glutathione peroxidase activity following the administration of purslane extract (P>0.05). A significant increase in total immunoglobulin level was noted in the T1 group, but lysozyme activity was higher in T1 and T2 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of grass carp diet with the purslane ethanolic extract, especially at 0.5%, can improve growth performance, lipase activity, the antioxidant enzyme activities as well as the immune response of grass carp fingerlings.

Herbal medicine in oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory and T cell-mediated autoimmune disease in which the oral mucosa, tongue, and gingiva are involved. Different treatments have been suggested to reduce the symptoms of this disease. Currently, a common treatment for OLP is the use of corticosteroids as the gold standard, although they have considerable side effects. The chronicity of the disease needs the long-term use of these drugs with ensuing side effects. Therefore, various studies have been done to find an alternative and effective treatment. The use of herbal medicine as an alternative therapy with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties seems promising. Hence, this review study was done to summarize the efficiency of different herbal medicine in the treatment of OLP.

A Portulaca oleracea L. extract promotes insulin secretion via a K+ATP channel dependent pathway in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate how a Portulaca oleracea L. extract (POE) stimulates insulin secretion in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells.

MATERIALS/METHOD

INS-1 pancreatic β-cells were incubated in the presence of various glucose concentrations: 1.1 or 5.6, 16.7 mM glucose. The cells were treated with insulin secretagogues or insulin secretion inhibitor for insulin secretion assay using an insulin ELISA kit. In order to quantify intracellular influx of Ca²⁺ caused by POE treatment, the effect of POE on intracellular Ca²⁺ in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells was examined using Fluo-2 AM dye.

RESULTS

POE at 10 to 200 µg/mL significantly increased insulin secretion dose-dependently as compared to the control. Experiments at three glucose concentrations (1.1, 5.6, and 16.7 mM) confirmed that POE significantly stimulated insulin secretion on its own as well as in a glucose-dependent manner. POE also exerted synergistic effects on insulin secretion with secretagogues, such as L-alanine, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and especially tolbutamide, and at a depolarizing concentration of KCl. The insulin secretion caused by POE was significantly attenuated by treatment with diazoxide, an opener of the K⁺_ATP channel (blocking insulin secretion) and by verapamil (a Ca²⁺ channel blocker). The insulinotropic effect of POE was not observed under Ca²⁺-free conditions in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells. When the cells were preincubated with a Ca²⁺ fluorescent dye, Fluo-2 (acetoxymethyl ester), the cells treated with POE showed changes in fluorescence in red, green, and blue tones, indicating a significant increase in intracellular Ca²⁺, which closely correlated with increases in the levels of insulin secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that POE stimulates insulin secretion via a K⁺_ATP channel-dependent pathway in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells.

Tissue distribution and excretion of the five components of Portulaca oleracea L. extract in rat assessed by UHPLC

The aim of the present study was to investigate the tissue distribution and excretion of five components of Portulaca oleracea L. extract (POE) in rat following oral administration. A rapid, sensitive and specific ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method with puerarin as the internal standard was used for the quantitative analysis of five components of POE, including caffeic acid (CA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA), ferulic acid (FA), quercitrin (QUER) and hesperidin (HP) in rat tissues including the liver, intestine, stomach, muscle, heart, lung, brain, kidney and spleen, urine and feces. The results show that onlyp-CA and FA were found in nearly all tissues with low cumulative ratios, and CA was higher in the intestine and stomach with a slightly higher cumulative ratio in the urine and feces after 24 h. HP and QUER were found at low levels in the tissues with low cumulative ratios.

Novel therapies for oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disorder commonly found in middle-aged women. Despite the progress in research and advance in knowledge on OLP, a successful management is still difficult to achieve. The main aim of OLP treatment is to control the symptoms of the affected patients. Steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs have been recommended and widely used in the treatment of OLP. Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of OLP treatment, but strong evidence on their effectiveness is lacking. The effectiveness of alternative ways of managing OLP has been recently reported. Topical aloe vera, topical pimecrolimus and oral curcuminoids are the most promising of the new treatment modalities. Other interesting modalities are topically applied thalidomide and amlexanox. Nevertheless, the careful assessment between the risks and benefits of these drugs is crucial and larger and well-conducted trials need to confirm the above encouraging results.

Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. seeds in treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients as adjunctive and alternative therapy

ETHNPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: To investigate antidiabetic activity of purslane seeds on type-2 diabetic subjects and to provide scientific basis for the clinical use of Portulaca oleracea (PO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thirty subject with type-2 diabetes divided into two groups, to receive 5 g of PO seeds twice daily while in the second group, their participants receive 1,500 mg of metformin/day. All participants were requested to report the effects of treatments on diabetic manifestations, their weights, body mass index (BMI), adverse effects, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose during treatment schedule. Blood samples from participants before and after treatment were taken for serum separation, which are used for measurement of serum lipids, liver enzymes, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, and insulin.

RESULTS

It showed a significant decrease in serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (T(C)), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL(C)), liver alanine-, aspartate- and gamma glutamyl transaminase (ALT, AST, and GGT), total and direct bilirubin, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose, insulin, body weight and BMI while a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL(C)) and albumin but non-significant change of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in PO seeds treated subjects. Metformin (M) group has the same results of PO group except in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL(C)), LDL(C), and ALP levels had a different pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

PO seeds could be effective and safe as adjuvant therapy for Type-2 diabetic subjects. These results demonstrated that PO seeds possessed notable hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic and insulin resistance reducer effects; possibly due to its contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides.