Amelioration of experimental hyperlipidemia in rats by Portulaca oleracea Linn from Kashmir Himalaya

Background: Traditionally, Portulaca oleracea Linn. treats abscesses and dysentery as well as liver disease. Additionally, recent studies have reported its effectiveness as a neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and curative, in addition to its pharmacological effects. Aim and Objective: To assess the phytochemical constituents quantitatively & qualitatively and lipid-lowering potential of different extracts of Portulaca oleracea L. from Kashmir Himalaya. Methods: Portulaca oleracea L. was extracted with chloroform, methanol, and aqueous solvents. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was carried and antihyperlipidemic activity was evaluated in experimental hyperlipidemic rats fed with cholesterol in coconut oil for 14 days. Results: Chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, sapon ins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, proteins, and carbohydrates. Quantitatively the dried plant powder contains alkaloids 0.72 g%, saponins 1.0 g%, phenolics 1.09 g%, tannins 0.91 g%, carbohydrates 0.53 g%, proteins 0.25 g% and lipids 0.87 g%. The aqueous extract was found to decrease the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and significantly elevated the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels as compared to methanol and chloroform extracts against cholesterol-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusions: The results reveal that the Portulaca oleracea L. from the Kashmir region possesses alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight possess highly significant antihyperlipidemic action than methanolic and chloroform extracts at similar doses