Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Extract Alleviates Atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- Mice

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a widely cultivated herb with edible and medicinal value. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that purslane has potent anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential role in ameliorating atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of purslane extract in ameliorating atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E(ApoE) knock-out (ApoE^-/-) mice. ApoE^-/- mice fed a Western diet were administered either purslane ethanol extract (400 mg/kg/day) or a vehicle for 4 weeks. Furthermore, isolated aortas from C57BL/6J mice were treated with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) with or without purslane extract for ex vivo experiments. Oil red O staining, functional study by wire myograph, fluorescence imaging, and Western blotting were performed. Purslane extract normalized plasma lipid profiles, reducing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL while increasing HDL in ApoE^-/- mice. It also reduced plasma interleulin-6 concentration. Purslane extract reduced atherosclerotic plaque area and ROS accumulation in aortas. Purslane extract improved endothelium-dependent relaxations (EDRs) in ApoE^-/- mouse aortas and LPC-treated mouse aortas. Protein expression analysis indicated that purslane extract suppressed vascular inflammation by suppressing the MAPK pathway and enhanced vasorelaxation by activating the AMPK/PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. These findings suggest that purslane extract is promising for inhibiting vascular inflammation and retarding the progression of atherosclerosis.