Modulatory effects of Portulaca oleracea extract on blood glucose and oxidative stress in diabetic male rats

Abstract

Impaired antioxidant defenses, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), with increased lipid peroxidation, contribute to diabetic complications. This study evaluated the effects of Portulaca oleracea ethanolic (70%) extract on blood glucose and oxidative stress markers in diabetic male rats. Twenty-four Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to four groups (n = 6): diabetic control (DC), Diabetic + Portulaca oleracea extract (DPO) (250 mg/kg), Diabetic + metformin (DM) (100 mg/kg), and combined treatment (DMPO). By week 4 of treatment, DPO (median: 294 mg/dL, first quartile {Q1}- third quartile {Q3}: 210–366), DM (median: 125 mg/dL, Q1-Q3: 95–160), DMPO (median: 144 mg/dL, Q1-Q3: 116–280) showed significantly lower blood glucose levels than DC (median: 448 mg/dL, Q1-Q3: 419–600, p<0.05). CAT levels increased significantly in DM (median 1.1 pg/mL, Q1-Q3: 0.9-1.4) and DMPO (1.1 pg/mL, Q1-Q3: 0.9-2.4) compared to DC (0.3 pg/mL, Q1-Q3: 0.2-0.6, p= 0.001, p ≤ 0.001, respectively). DPO and DMPO had significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) (21.3 ± 3.8 ng/mL; 22 ± 1.9 ng/mL, respectively) and increased SOD (19.1 ± 3.6 ng/mL; 23.5 ± 3.9 ng/mL, respectively) compared to DC (MDA: 29.3 ± 6.1 ng/mL, SOD: 11.9 ± 2.4 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Portulaca oleracea demonstrated antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects.