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Chemical composition and antiinflammatory activity of the extract from aerial parts of portulacaoleracea (Purslane)

Abstract:

Introduction: Portulaca oleracea is used in folk medicine for pain and inflammation relief related on musculoskeletal diseases. However, there is little information on the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of the species in Ecuador. Objective: to evaluate the chemical composition of the aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea (purslane) and the antiinflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract. Methods: the ethanol extracts (95º) were prepared by percolation from the dry and ground drug. Initially the quality of the raw drug and extract was checked. The chemical composition was determined by phytochemical screening, thin layer chromatography and direct infusion mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization. The content of phenols and flavonoids was quantified by the methods of Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride using rutin and gallic acid as standard, respectively. Finally, a preliminary preclinical test of the antiinflammatory activity of the extract was carried out at a dose of 500 mg/Kg body weight of three groups of Wistar rats, following the carrageenan induced plantar edema method using sodium naproxen as the control. Results: the raw drug and the alcoholic extract meet the established quality requirements. The preliminary chemical evaluation suggested the presence of alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids as the main metabolites. Flavonoids were identified by means of mass spectrometry that could correspond to structures not yet reported in this vegetal species. The concentration of phenols and flavonoids was 0.67 mg/mL and 2.42 mg/mL, respectively. The preclinical test of the extract showed a similar anti-inflammatory effect against the positive control. Initially naproxen showed better antiinflammatory activity, however, the extract maintains its effect with a maximum at 2 h. Conclusion: the crude drug and the extract meet the quality requirements and contain active ingbkp_redients with possible use as an antiinflammatory agent.