The neuroprotective effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on rotenone-induced biochemical changes and apoptosis in brain of rat

• Published in: CNS & neurological disorders drug targets Vol. 12; no. 6; p. 830
• Main Author: Abdel Moneim, Ahmed E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates 01.09.2013
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - physiology; Brain - drug effects; Brain - metabolism; Brain - pathology; Insecticides - toxicity; Male; Neuroprotective Agents - isolation & purification; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Portulaca - physiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rotenone - toxicity
• ISSN: 1996-3181
• DOI: 10.2174/18715273113129990081

Purslane (Portulaca oleraceae L.), a member of the Portulacaceae family, is widespread as a weed and has been ranked as the eighth most common plant in the world. In order to evaluate purslane herbal aqueous juice as a neuroprotective agent, the antioxidant activity of purslane juice was assessed in vitro and the neuroprotective effects of purslane (1.5 mL/Kg bwt) on rotenone (12 mg/Kg bwt for 12 days) induced biochemical changes and apoptosis in striatum of rats were also examined. The repeated administration of rotenone produced dramatic increases in intercellular content of calcium, dopamine metabolites and apoptosis in the striatum. In addition, rotenone administration caused significant decrease in complex I activity. These biochemical changes and apoptosis inductions were effectively counteracted by administration of purslane. Overall, the present study demonstrated the neuroprotective role of purslane in the striatum and proposes its prophylactic potential against developing brain damage and Parkinson's disease induction followed by rotenone administration, and that purslane may be considered as a potential neuroprotective agent against environmental factors affecting the function of the dopaminergic system.