Portulaca oleracea L. Aqueous Extracts and Portulaca oleracea L. Juice Suppresses Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis Mice

Abstract

Abstract Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) is an edible and medicinal plant for treating gastrointestinal diseases. However, the effects and mechanism of PO on ulcerative colitis (UC) are still unclear. This study evaluated the impact of Portulaca oleracea L. aqueous extract (POE) and Portulaca oleracea L. juice (PJ) on DSS-induced UC in mice and revealed its mechanisms. The results showed PJ had more bioactive compounds and overlapping targets with UC than POE. Both POE and PJ reduced DAI scores and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in UC mice model while PJ had a better effect. In addition, PJ decreased the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome thus inhibiting pyroptosis. The expression of tight junction proteins was upregulated by PJ and the dysfunction of the intestinal barrier was repaired. In conclusion, PJ improves the colitis caused by DSS and may suppress pyroptosis by interfering with the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.