Anti-oxidant and Anti-tumor properties in Purslane

Purslane is a weed extensively used as edible plant and also acts as antioxidant and anti-tumor agent. A study revealed that PSO (Purslane seed oil) is having remarkable free radical scavenging capabilities and also displayed anti-proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells than on Hela or Eca-109 cells, based on time and dose-dependent manner. PSO is a healthy food for the prevention and controlling hypersensitive symptoms. Further research is needed to understand the anti-tumor and anti- oxidant mechanisms.Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a widely distributed weed that is extensively used not only as an edible plant but also as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Both the leaves and seeds of purslane can be consumed orally or applied topically to soothe a skin allergy. Many studies have demonstrated various pharmacological effects of this plant, such as antibacterial hypoglycemic,anti-hypoxia antioxidant effects, antitumor activity,  and neuroprotective effects. 

As a medicinal and edible wild plant, purslane is generally known as a “longevity food” due toits reputation as a “natural antibiotic”. Purslane contains many compounds, including flavonoids,alkaloids, omega-3 fatty acids, noradrenaline, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and other active ingredients. In particular, purslane seeds are reportedly more effective in antioxidation than those from other herbs. In previous studies, we have extracted purslane seed oil (PSO) with a 17.68% yield using an ultrasound-assisted enzyme hydrolysis combined with a Soxhlet extraction method. We then analyzed the fatty acid profile and content of the oil using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Analysis of the PSO showed that alpha-linolenic acid reached 40.2570% followed by linoleic acid (29.4308%) and oleic acid (15.6103%). Saturated fatty acids represent 13.9455% of the total oil, while monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) account for 16.2877% and 69.6878%, respectively. Read more...............