Effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) on copper sulphate induced hepatic necrosis in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) on liver necrosis induced by copper sulfate in rats. Twenty-eight male rats were divided into four groups as follows: 1) Normal, 2) Toxicant control (CuSo4 was given orally (200 mg/kg b.w), 3) Purslane was given orally (400 mg/kg b.w) and 4) Toxicant purslane. At the end of the four weeks, all the rats were sacrificed and some biochemical parameters of serum such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and concentrations of alondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in serum were estimated. CuSo4 significantly increased the levels of ALT, AST, and MDA and decreased the levels of CAT, SOD, and GPx in toxicant rats. The toxicant purslane group restored these changes to normal levels. Histopathological findings are consistent with biochemical findings. Purslane has a hepatoprotective effect on CuSo4-induced hepatic damage in rats and these effects might be contributed to modulation of detoxification enzymes and antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.