Ameliorative effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders: A review

Nowadays, the global interest in the use of herbal medicines and their main components in developing novel effective medications with fewer adverse effects is rising. Precise medicinal plants have potential advantageous applications for several neurodegenerative disorders. Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) belongs to the Portulacaceae Juss family. In folk medicine, it has been used as a febrifuge, antiseptic, vermifuge, and in treating arthritis, burns, cough, headache, intestine, stomach, liver disorders, as well as shortness of breath. Pharmacological investigations have also disclosed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. The current work prepared an updated and broad literature review on purslane highlighting its therapeutic effects on some nervous system disorders. It has been shown that P. oleracea and its active constituents have considerable neuroregenerative, neuroprotective, and antinociceptive properties. Accordingly, our team classified and discussed the outcomes of some nervous system disorders comprising Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, epilepsy, anxiety, psychosis, drug dependence, hypoxia, and pain; although, additional preclinical and clinical assessments are necessary to reinforce the beneficial effects of purslane on nervous system disorders.