Anti-diabetic Effect of Portulaca oleracea (Purslane) Seeds in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Background and Aims: Portulaca oleracea (purslane) herb has renewed an interest in medicinal plants because its aerial parts usage generally does not elicit any side effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of P. oleracea seeds in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In the test group, diabetic rats received hydroethanolic extract at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 14 days while in the control group, they received just saline vehicle. Then, biochemical analysis was performed to evaluate serum profiles in diabetic treated rats. After that, liver sections were prepared for histopathological analysis. Results: In comparison to the control group, the serum profiles of the test group exhibited significant changes. In the control diabetic group, the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, urea and uric acid were 494, 122, 220, 163, 492 and 94 mg/dL and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were 3215, 3394 and 1527 UI/l reduced respectively to 165, 18, 120, 63, 36 and 52 mg/dL and 1219, 1229 and 1717 UI/l in the test groups. Also, the administration of the purslane extract significantly increased high-density lipoproteins and total protein levels and attenuated hispathological damage in liver tissue in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Conclusions: The present data indicated that hydro-ethanolic extract of P. oleracea seeds has anti-diabetic effect in diabetic animals. So, this plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches.