An overview of Portulaca oleracea: Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities

Abstract

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belongs to the family Portulacaceae. These plants have various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and a variety of phytochemicals. Purslane is a medicinal herb, which is frequently used by the traditional practitioners in Algeria, north afreca and many other countries of the world for the treatment of various diseases. Findings suggest that purslan possesses many important phytochemical and pharmacological activities. According to scientific reports, P. oleracea contains most of the principal active molecules such as phenolisc compoubds, tannins, reducing sugars, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, especially alkaloids of various kinds, such as trigonelline, sildenafil, indole and norharman. Pharmacological investigations suggest that the plant has antioxidant, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and, analgesic activities. In conclusion, P. oleracea may be one of the best sources of plant-based drugs.