Neuroprotective effect of Portulaca oleracea extracts against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesion of dopaminergic neurons

Abstract

The Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae) is a cosmopolitan species with a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant and neuroprotective actions. We investigated the effects of P. oleracea extracts in a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson's disease, a debilitating disorder without effective treatments. Chemical profiles of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of whole plant were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and the antioxidant activity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazila method. Male Wistar rats received intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine and were treated with vehicle or extracts (oral, 200 and 400 mg/kg) daily for two weeks. The behavioral open field test was conducted at days 1 and 15. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed 4 weeks after surgery to quantify tyrosine-hydroxylase cell counts in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Extracts presented antioxidant activity in concentrations above 300 µg/kg. The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of Levodopa, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids and polysaccharides. Both extracts improved motor recovery 15 days after lesion and protected from tyrosine-hydroxylase cell loss after 4 weeks, but these effects were more evident for the aqueous extract. Because the dopamine precursor is present, in addition to antioxidant compounds and neuroprotective effects, P. oleracea can be considered as potential strategy for treating Parkinson's disease.

Evaluating the Potential of Portulaca oleracea L. for Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Using a Drosophila Model with dUCH-Knockdown

“…Treating high-fat mice with purslane extracts reduced lipid peroxidation and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in blood and liver [32]. Besides that, purslane exerted neuroprotective effects against some neurotoxins in 6-OHDA-induced rat model and rotenone-induced cellular and mouse models of PD [25]. In this study, purslane aqueous extract showed its high potential for PD treatment by improvements in PD-like phenotypes in the fly model with dUCH knockdown.…”

“…Purslane was demonstrated to have protective effects in neurotoxin-induced models of PD. 6-OHDA-induced mice treated with purslane showed an improvement in motor ability after 15 days and a decrease in dopaminergic neuronal cell death after 4 weeks [25]. Oleracein E from purslane rescued rotenone-induced SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells from apoptosis [26].…”

Evaluation of Pigments, Phenolic and Volatile Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of a Spontaneous Population of Portulaca oleracea L. Grown in Tunisia

“…A wide range of pharmacological effects were shown for P. oleracea extracts, including antibacterial [10], hypolipidemic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory [11,12], skeletal muscle relaxant [11,13], analgesic, wound healing [14], hypoglycemic [15], neuropharmacological [16], bronchodilatory [14,17], hypocholesterolemic [18], and antioxidant activities [15,19,20]. Other studies showed the importance of purslane consumption in the reduction of the occurrence of many diseases such as cancer [21,22] and heart disease [23].…”

Portulaca oleracea seeds extract does not prevent dexamethasone-induced hypertension in rats

“…Toxic level of plasma oxalate has been associated with atherogenic activity through increasing the intracellular calcium concentration in endothelial cells and inhibition of endothelial proliferation (25). Although P. oleracea extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg has been used in some studies (26), but it seems that the lower doses would have the better safety profile with minor adverse effects. The results of the present study also showed increasing in weight loss after administration of P. oleracea seeds extract in dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats.…”