Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Portulaca oleracea

Introduction: Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae) is used traditionally in many parts of Africa, Asia and Australia to treat microbial infections, wounds, animal bites and bleeding [1].

Aim: To investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of methanol extract of the leaf and aerial part of P. oleracea.

Method: Phytochemical screening was carried out to determine the presence of secondary metabolites. Antimicrobial activity against typed strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans were investigated using agar diffusion and micro-dilution method [2]. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging assay [3]. Anti-inflammatory activities of the doses of the extract at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight were determined by carrageenan-induced edema [4].

Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of P. oleracea extract revealed the presence of tannins, glycosides, sterols and saponins. The methanol extract showed significant activity against S. aureus, S. pyogenes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans with MIC of 12.5, 12.5, 50, 50 and 50 mg/mL, respectively. It showed significant anti-inflammatory activity at 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Methanol leaf extract of P. oleracea exhibited antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and these pharmacological properties may justify the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, carrageenan induced oedema, antioxidant

References:

[1] Cherukuri et al. (2013). IJRAP, 4: 34 – 37.

[2] Eloff (1998). Planta Med, 64: 711 – 713.

[3] Hataro et al. (1988). Chem Pharm Bull, 36: 200 – 209.

[4] Woode et al. (2009). J Pharm and Toxicol; 4(4): 135 – 151.