Search Results (107)

This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of action of total alkaloids from Portulaca oleracea L. (POL) on ulcerative colitis (UC) using a network pharmacology approach. Network pharmacology analysis identified two bioactive alkaloids within POL as primary anti-UC constituents, targeting 16 core therapeutic proteins and 113 UC-associated signaling pathways. To further explore the therapeutic effects, in vitro cell assays and in vivo animal experiments were conducted. In vitro, high concentrations of Portulaca oleracea total alkaloids (POAs) demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, significantly reducing Caco-2 cell viability and impairing migration. In a murine model of UC, disease induction led to substantial weight loss, elevated disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon shortening, and severe colonic tissue damage compared to controls. Furthermore, the UC group displayed significantly upregulated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as increased protein and mRNA expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in colon tissues. Crucially, POAs treatment effectively ameliorated UC symptoms in mice, significantly reducing DAI scores, mitigating colon shortening, and markedly suppressing TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation. These findings strongly suggest that the therapeutic effects of POAs in UC are, at least in part, mediated by the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to a reduction in colonic inflammation. Full article

This study examined the effects of both nitrogen (N) rate and form on the growth, nutrient uptake, and quality parameters of hydroponically grown purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) during a spring cultivation cycle. Purslane was cultivated in a floating hydroponic system under either adequate or limiting N conditions. More specifically, under adequate N conditions, plants were supplied with NS where ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) accounted for either 7% (Nr7) or 14% (Nr14) of the total-N. The limiting N conditions were achieved through the application of either an NS where 30% of N inputs were compensated with Cl (N30), or an NS where 50% of N inputs were balanced by elevating Cl and S by 30% and 20%, respectively (N50). The results demonstrated that mild N stress enhanced the quality characteristics of purslane without significant yield losses. However, further and more severe N restrictions in the NS resulted in significant yield losses without improving product quality. The highest yield reduction (20%) occurred under high NH₄-N supply (Nr14), compared to Nr7-treated plants, which was strongly associated with impaired N assimilation and reduced biomass production. Both N-limiting treatments (N30 and N50) effectively reduced nitrate accumulation in edible tissues by 10% compared to plants grown under adequate N supply (Nr7 and Nr14); however, nitrate levels remained relatively high across all treatments, even though the environmental conditions of the experiment favored nitrate reduction. All applied N regimes and compensation strategies improved the antioxidant and flavonoid content, with the highest antioxidant activity observed in plants grown under high NH₄-N application, indirectly revealing the susceptibility of purslane to NH₄-N-rich conditions. Overall, the form and rate of N supply significantly influenced both plant performance and biochemical quality. Partial replacement of N with Cl (N30) emerged as the most promising strategy, benefiting quality traits and effectively reducing nitrate content without significantly compromising yield. Full article

The present research focused on the physiological alterations and antioxidant potential of Portulaca oleracea L. due to mycorrhizal symbiosis with diverse strains. Purslane belongs to the plants that form a symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi and show tolerance to various strains. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae gave better mycorrhizal colonization results and positively affected biomass accumulation and the concentration of reducing sugars. The total accumulation of plastid pigments was higher in symbiotic plants, although this effect was not specific to any particular strain. Mycorrhizal fungi increased the levels of carotenes in the shoots, while xanthophylls decreased, with the highest values observed in non-inoculated plants. Both strains influenced the ratio of betalains: Funneliformis mosseae promoted the accumulation of β-cyanins, while Claroideoglomus claroideum increased β-xanthines. The association with Funneliformis mosseae also affected antioxidant capacity, as indicated by the FRAP test, by altering the concentrations of secondary metabolites, particularly phenols and flavonoids. Targeted inoculation with specific strains boosts both non-enzymatic (including water-soluble and lipid-soluble metabolites) and enzymatic antioxidant activity; however, it was not dependent on the strain. These findings underscore the benefits of mycorrhizal associations in purslane cultivation, promoting sustainable ecological practices and enhancing its quality as a food product. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a plant recognized as a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This study investigates the effects of grinding techniques (knife, ball, and planetary ball mill) on the properties of purslane powder (surface microstructure, particle size distribution, and color), their influence on the phenolic content in the extracts of purslane powder before and after in vitro simulated digestion process, and the antioxidant activity of the purslane extracts. The results showed that applied grinding techniques affected the particle size distribution and surface morphology of the powder, which in turn influenced the gastrointestinal stability of the dominant phenolic compounds in purslane powder extracts. The powder obtained via ball milling, characterized by the highest proportion of fine particles (x < 100 µm), showed the highest content of total phenolics (656 mg GAE/L). Ball milling resulted in high preservation of the dominant phenolic acids in the powder extract after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion (83.55% and 69.42%) and high free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS) and ferric reducing power (FRAP). The results obtained emphasize the nutritional and biological benefits of purslane in the form of a fine powder. Full article

Saline–alkali land is a critical factor limiting agricultural production and ecological restoration. Utilizing salt-tolerant plants for bioremediation represents an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to soil management. This study employed the highly salt-tolerant crop Portulaca oleracea L. cv. “Su Ma Chi Xian 3” as the test material. A plot experiment was established in coastal saline soils with planting P. a- oleracea (P) and no planting (CK) under three blocks with the different salt levels (S1: 2.16 g/kg; S2: 4.08 g/kg; S3: 5.43 g/kg) to systematically evaluate its salt accumulation capacity and effects on soil physicochemical properties. The results demonstrated that P. oleracea exhibited adaptability across all three salinity levels, with aboveground biomass following the trend PS2 > PS3 > PS1. The ash salt contents removed through harvesting were 1.29, 2.03, and 1.74 t/ha, respectively, in PS1, PS2, and PS3. Compared to no planting, a significant reduction in bulk density was observed in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers (p < 0.05). A significant increase in porosity by 9.72%, 16.29%, and 12.61% was found under PS1, PS2, and PS3, respectively, in the 0–10 cm soil layer. Soil salinity decreased by 34.20%, 50.23%, and 48.26%, in the 0–10 cm soil layer and by 14.43%, 32.30%, and 26.42% in the 10–20 cm soil layer under PS1, PS2, and PS3, respectively. The pH exhibited a significant reduction under the planting treatment in the 0–10 cm layer. A significant increase in organic matter content by 13.70%, 12.44%, and 13.55%, under PS1, PS2, and PS3, respectively, was observed in the 0–10 cm soil layer. The activities of invertase and urease were significantly enhanced in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase also exhibited a significant increase in the 0–10 cm layer under the planting treatment. This study indicated that cultivating P. oleracea could effectively facilitate the improvement of coastal saline soils by optimizing soil structure, reducing salinity, increasing organic matter, and activating the soil enzyme system, thereby providing theoretical and technical foundations for ecological restoration and sustainable agricultural utilization of saline–alkali lands. Full article

Yogurt fortification with purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) can improve its health benefits, but it may alter the fermentation step and its final properties. Thus, the current study investigated the suitability of Fourier Transform-Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy for in-line monitoring of lactic acid fermentation of purslane-fortified yogurt compared with fundamental rheology. Changes in the yogurt properties during storage were also assessed. Set-type yogurts without and with lyophilized purslane leaves (0.55%) were produced and stored at 4 °C for up to 18 days. Lactic acid bacteria concentrations before and after fermentation at 43 °C for 2.5 h showed that the presence of purslane did not interfere with bacterial growth. The purslane addition increased the milk viscosity, resulting in a yogurt with complex modulus values higher than those of the reference sample (360 vs. 172 Pa). The elaboration of spectral data with Principal Component Analysis and the Gompertz equation enabled calculation of the kinetic critical points. Applying the Gompertz equation to the rheological data, it was evident that FT-NIR spectroscopy detected earlier the fermentation progression (the critical times were about 18% earlier on average), thus enabling better control of yogurt production. No significant changes in microbial or textural properties were noted during yogurt storage, demonstrating that purslane addition did not affect the product stability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a widely distributed plant known for its medicinal and nutritional properties. This study aims to evaluate the fatty acid composition and bioactivities of crude lipophilic extracts (chloroform/methanol 2:1) from purslane collected in Serbia and Greece, with a focus on its antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Methods: Chemical analysis was conducted to determine the fatty acid composition of the extracts. Antibacterial activity was assessed using standard microdilution assays, while antibiofilm assays evaluated the extracts’ ability to inhibit biofilm formation. Cytotoxicity was tested on cancer cell lines (MCF7, HeLa, CaCo2, HepG2) and normal keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were performed to explore the interactions of bioactive fatty acids with microbial and cancer-related proteins. Results: The analysis revealed significant levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid in both samples (31.42% and 34.51%). The Greek extract exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than the Serbian extract, particularly against Aspergillus versicolor, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiofilm assays showed up to 89.54% destruction at MIC levels, with notable reductions in exopolysaccharide and extracellular DNA production, especially for Greek samples. Cytotoxicity testing indicated moderate effects on cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 178.17–397.31 µg/mL) while being non-toxic to keratinocytes. Molecular docking identified strong interactions between key fatty acids and microbial and cancer-related proteins. Conclusions: These results highlight purslane’s potential as a source of bioactive compounds, particularly in antimicrobial and anticancer applications. The findings suggest that purslane extracts could be developed for therapeutic purposes targeting microbial infections and cancer. Full article

Portulaca oleracea L. is an important herb with the same origin in medicine and food. To achieve the precise sowing of P. oleracea, this study employed a mixed experimental design to optimize the pellet formulation of the seeds. Fillers such as kaolin, bentonite, and talcum powder were used, along with binders including polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The physical characteristics and germination properties of the pelletized seeds were evaluated to determine the optimal formulation. The results indicated that, after pelletizing, the seeds exhibited a higher seed viability and vigor, germination rate, and germination index. Specifically, the seed singulation rate correlated positively with the kaolin content, the disintegration rate was proportional to the amount of talcum powder added, and the compression resistance was positively correlated with the bentonite ratio. Using response optimization, the optimal formulation of fillers used for pelletizing P. oleracea seeds was identified as 17% talcum powder, 16% kaolin, and 67% bentonite. Single-factor experiments showed that using PVP as a binder at a mass fraction of 10% resulted in improved pelletizing indices. This study not only optimized the pelletizing formulation of P. oleracea seeds based on physical and germination properties, but also expanded the application of pelletizing in the processing of the seeds of traditional Chinese herbs. It holds significant implications for the mechanized production of small, pelletized seeds of traditional Chinese herbs. Full article

In this study, the effect of oven and microwave roasting at different times on oil content, total phenol, flavonoid, fatty acids, phenolic components and mineral contents of purslane seeds was investigated. The total phenolic quantities of the purslane seeds roasted in the oven and microwave were characterized to be between 252.0 ± 1.80 (180 °C/5 min in the oven) and 256.6 ± 3.51 (10 min in the oven), and between 216.3 ± 0.28 (720 W/15 min in the microwave) and 203.7 ± 1.93 GAE/100 g (30 min in the microwave), respectively. The highest total flavonoid (613.8 ± 4.36 mg QE/100 g) was detected in the application of roasting in the oven for 10 min. Roasting in the oven for 5 min caused a decrease in the total flavonoid content (584.3 ± 4.95 mg QE/100 g), while roasting for 10 min caused an increase in the flavonoid content (613.8 ± 4.36 mg QE/100 g). The oil yields of purslane seed samples roasted in the oven for 5 min and 10 min were defined as 40.40 ± 0.99% and 45.00 ± 0.71%, respectively. Statistical differences were observed between the oil, total phenol and flavonoid contents of the samples depending on the roasting times in the oven and microwave (p ≤ 0.01). The protein contents of the purslane seeds were established to be between 27.89 ± 0.279% (control) and 37.24 ± 0.407% (10 min in the oven). The calcium (Ca) contents of the purslane seeds changed between 8314.99 ± 327.53 ppm (5 min in the oven) and 4340.62 ± 498.45 ppm (15 min in the microwave), while the phosphorus contents varied between 4905.13 ± 43.02 ppm (15 min in the microwave) and 4051.23 ± 6.39 ppm (unroasted). In addition, the potassium content was found to be between 4565.89 ± 153.47 (5 min in the oven) and 3904.02 ± 7.17 ppm (unroasted). It was also observed that the purslane seeds roasted in the oven for 10 min maintained a linolenic fatty acid content of up to 65.57%. Considering the bioactive properties and phytochemical components of purslane seeds roasted in both roasting systems, they are important in terms of the nutritional enrichment of foods as a food supplement. Full article

Quorum sensing (QS) is a molecular communication mechanism among bacterial cells. It is critical in regulating virulence factors, motility, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen linked to healthcare-associated infections, food poisoning, and biofilm formation. Treating infections caused by pathogenic bacteria has become a challenge due to the development of multi-antibiotic resistance upon continuous exposure of bacteria to antibiotics. An alternative strategy to conventional antimicrobials to decrease the bacterial pathogenicity is QS inhibition, also known as quorum quenching. Using plant-derived compounds is an environmentally friendly strategy to block the bacterial QS and inhibit bacterial growth. Portulaca oleracea is a popular plant in different countries and is also used in traditional medicine. It is widely consumed raw in salads and as garnishes, though it can be cooked as a vegetarian dish. This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract of P. oleracea and its effectiveness in blocking or attenuating the QS of P. aeruginosa. The agar well diffusion method used for screening the antibacterial activity showed a significant growth inhibition of P. aeruginosa by the extract at 500 mg/mL with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 mg/mL. A bioindicator bacterium, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, was used to determine the effect of the methanolic extract on the QS of P. aeruginosa. The results indicated a significant reduction in biofilm formation, pyocyanin production, and LasA staphylolytic activity. The phytochemical analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry showed that the methanolic extract contained several phenols, alkaloids, esters, and other compounds previously reported to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects. These findings highlight the effectiveness of P. oleracea methanolic extract in attenuating the QS and virulence factors of P. aeruginosa. This study suggests that P. oleracea is an important source of natural antimicrobials and its use would be beneficial in food and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

This study evaluates Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for extracting antioxidant compounds from Portulaca oleracea dried leaves, compared to traditional ethanol extraction. NADES were synthesized using terpenoids (menthol and β-citronellol) and organic acids (lactic and capric acid), characterized by favorable viscosity, density, and pH, ensuring liquid stability at ambient temperature. NADES extraction outperformed ethanol, with NADES 1 yielding the highest bioactive contents: 83.66 Eq GA/mg, 786.55 Eq Q/mg, and 0.78 Eq C/mg versus ethanol’s 58.49 Eq GA/mg, 363.23 Eq Q/mg, and 0.44 Eq C/mg. HPLC-DAD analysis identified higher levels of phenolic acids (caffeic and syringic acid) and flavonoids (rutin and quercetin) in NADES extracts, compounds absent in ethanol. Antioxidant potential, assessed via IC₅₀ values, confirmed superior activity for NADES extracts (NADES 1-Ext: IC₅₀ 28.10 ± 1.73 µg/µL) compared to ethanol (IC₅₀ 1615.97 ± 5.34 µg/µL), and the Trolox method has confirmed extensively this superiority. Additionally, NADES demonstrated improved antimicrobial effects, varying with microorganisms. Despite their high viscosity potentially limiting extraction efficiency, adjusting temperature offers a promising approach to enhance mass transfer. These findings emphasize NADES as a sustainable alternative for bioactive compound extraction, paving the way for optimizing extraction techniques through viscosity reduction strategies. Full article

Paddy field ecosystems are crucial for crop production, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem services. Although previous studies have examined paddy field biodiversity, few have addressed how the distribution and species richness of vegetation and soil seed banks are regulated. This study investigated the distribution of wetland plants and soil seed banks in paddy fields across diverse habitat types and identified factors influencing their patterns. Surveys revealed that conventional paddy field habitats contained only a few herbicide-tolerant species (e.g., Portulaca oleracea L., Cardamine flexuosa With., and Rorippa palustris (L.) Besser). In contrast, organic paddy field habitats exhibited higher species richness and abundance. Cluster analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling demonstrated that soil seed bank distribution differed markedly in paddy field habitats with different farming practices and was influenced by distinct soil factors. These findings highlight the importance of understanding vegetation and soil seed bank dynamics in paddy field ecosystems to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an herbaceous species that is traditionally consumed across the world due to its nutraceutical quality, boasting anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. These traits render purslane an attractive wild edible species for research and commercial exploitation. The current study examined the effect of different nitrogen (N) concentrations (100–200 mg L⁻¹; as N100, N200) in combination with different levels (decreased 0.66-fold: dec, recommended 1-fold: rec, or increased 1.5-fold: inc) of phosphorus (P; 47–70–105 mg L⁻¹) and potassium (K; 250–350–525 mg L⁻¹) in the nutrient solution (NS) used in hydroponic nutrient film technique (NFT) cultivation. The N200_PKinc NS resulted in improved crop growth compared to N200_PKrec NS, suggesting a positive correlation between optimal N levels (i.e., 200 mg L⁻¹) and increased P and K levels (105 and 525 mg L⁻¹, respectively). Plants grown in N200_PKinc revealed decreased antioxidant activity (e.g., DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS), phenols and flavonoids, while simultaneously increased total soluble solids levels. The recommended levels of P and K mirrored low levels in lipid peroxidation, mainly due to the increase in catalase enzymatic activity. Higher nutrient use efficiency was observed when both N100_PKinc and N200_PKinc were applied, resulting in higher yield and enhanced plant growth, while N100_PKinc produced plants with increased antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that both (N200_PKinc and N100_PKinc) NS have potential benefits for the hydroponic cultivation of purslane, with the latter NS offering additional advantages in terms of higher produce quality. Full article

Developing processes that contribute to the valorization of vegetable wastes is of great importance since these residues are characterized by being of high quality, having a huge potential for valorization. However, upcycling vegetables residues and defining specific applications for the value-added products obtained might be a challenge, and they should be tackled by means of different and complementary innovations. In the present study, broccoli and white cabbage discards were transformed into powdered products by means of selected techniques and conditions, which have been explored for applications in the agri-food sector. The obtained brassica powders were rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics and isothiocyanates. Their antioxidant properties in response to in vitro digestion were evaluated to assess the potential of the products as functional food ingredients. On the other hand, brassica powders were tested as bioherbicides. For that purpose, inhibition tests on weed germination and growth of weeds from agricultural soil seedbank and selected species (Lolium rigidum, Papaver rhoeas, Portulaca oleracea, and Echicnochloa crus-galli) were performed under controlled greenhouse conditions. In vitro simulated digestion studies demonstrated that bioactive constituents of powders were progressively released during digestion, and consequently, a part of them could be finally absorbed and, thus, provide their beneficial effect. Brassica bioproducts significantly reduced the germination of weeds from the agricultural soil seedbank, and the selected weed species tested, namely L. rigidum, P. rhoeas, P. oleracea, and E. crus-galli. Powders also showed a negative effect on the root weight and length of dicotyledonous weeds from the soil seedbank and L. rigidum, whereas a stimulatory effect was observed on the spring–summer species, E. crus-galli and P. oleracea. The results of this work contribute to extending the range of applications for brassica industrialization wastes. Full article

The introduction of alternative crops, including wild edible and medicinal plants, in organic cultivation systems presents an attractive approach to producing healthy and high-quality products due to their content in beneficial compounds and increased nutritional value. The current study evaluated the impact of organic and conventional fertilization on the growth, quality, nutrient status and stress response of the two wild edible species, e.g., purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), under field conditions. The fertilization treatments included the following: a control (NoFert) treatment with no fertilizers added, base dressing with conventional fertilization (CoFert), base dressing with organic fertilization (OrFert), base dressing and side dressing with conventional fertilization (OrFert + S_CoFert) and base dressing and side dressing with organic fertilization (CoFert + S_CoFert). Organic fertilization was carried out using a commercial vinasse-based organic fertilizer. In both purslane and common sowthistle, the application of organic fertilizers provided comparable or even enhanced plant growth traits, macronutrient content (i.e., P and K for purslane, and N for sowthistle) and quality (i.e., total soluble solids) compared to the application of conventional fertilizers. On the other hand, conventional fertilization with supplementary fertilization positively influenced the plant growth of purslane (i.e., plant height and stems biomass), as well as its physiological parameters (i.e., chlorophylls content), total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity (i.e., DPPH and FRAP). Similarly, conventional fertilization led to increased total phenolics and antioxidants in common sowthistle, while variable effects were observed regarding plant physiology, stress response and antioxidant capacity indices. In conclusion, the use of organic fertilization in both purslane and common sowthistle exhibited a performance similar to that of conventional fertilization, although further optimization of fertilization regimes is needed to improve the quality of the edible products. Full article