The hypolipidemic effect of Portulaca oleracea L. stem on hyperlipidemic Wister Albino rats

Portulaca oleracea has been listed in the World Health Organization as one of the most used medicinal plants. Portulaca oleracea stems (POS) acts about 75% from weight of plant. The production of stems was the most economic between other organs. This study carried out to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of POS preparations. Three preparations of POS were tested: stem powder (POS-powder), stem infusion (POS-infusion) and stem 70% ethanolic extract (POS-ethanolic 70%). POS preparations contained useful components with different proportion such as polyphenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and mucilage. The effect of POS on weight and lipid profile investigated on dietary hyperlipidemic Wister Albino rats fed on hyperlipidemic diet contained 20% fat, 1% cholesterol and 0.25% colic acid. The experimental period was 8-weeks. POS-powder form was supplemented at 10% in hyperlipidemic diet while POS-infusion and POS-ethanolic 70% force fed by 1.0 g/kg body weight. The hyperlipidemic model described with elevated weight, feed intake, total cholesterol (TC), total lipids (TL), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels and risk ratio was significantly, compared with untreated control after 4 and 8 weeks. Contrary high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of hyperlipidemic control was decreased significantly. POS preparations improved all obvious abnormal lipid parameters and risk ratio compared with hyperlipidemic control. The abnormalities, which was shown on liver status of hyperlipidemic rats were ameliorated by administration of POS preparations significantly. Liver histology showed significant improvement after treating hyperlipidemic rats by POS form compared with hyperlipidemic control.