The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Abstract
Background: Portulaca oleracea Linn. is one of the indigenous plants currently gaining ground and recognition globally as both vegetable and medicinal herb. The scarcity of literature on the safety of P. oleracea uses in pregnancy prompted this research. Objective: This study investigated the effect of the lipophilic and hydrophilic leaf extracts of P. oleracea on gestation/fetal indices. Methods: The extracts were obtained using two extracting solvents – chloroform and 80% aqueous methanol in succession. Thirty-five successfully mated female rats were divided into seven groups. Group 1 (control) received 0.5 ml 20% Tween 80 (vehicle), Groups 2, 3, and 4 received 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of the lipophilic extract, respectively, and 5, 6, and 7 received 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of the hydrophilic extract, respectively, orally from gestational day (GD) 6 to 19. On GD 20, laparotomy was performed to assess the gestation/fetal indices. Results: Both extracts did not cause abortion in the pregnant rats or teratogenesis of the fetuses. The extracts had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the indices; however, only hydrophilic extract caused a dose-dependent significant (P < 0.05) increase in fetal crown-rump length in comparison with control. Conclusion: Leaf extracts of P. oleracea as used in this study are safe to fetus and gestating dam, thus gestation friendly.
DOI
10.56808/3027-7922.3056
Recommended Citation
Obinna, Victoria Chinenye; Kagbo, Hope Delesi; and Agu, Gabriel Ogaba
(2025)
"Investigation of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Leaf Extracts of Portulaca oleracea on Gestation in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus),"
The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Vol. 43:
Iss.
4, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/3027-7922.3056
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/tjps/vol43/iss4/6
