Abstract: Phytoremediation is a novel, solar-driven and cost-effective technology for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated environments through exploitation of plants ability to accumulate heavy metals in their harvestable shoot parts. In the present investigation, we collected plants of two species of Portulaca i.e. P. tuberosa and P. oleracea from field sites in Vadodra, Gujrat, India. At one site, field was being irrigated with industrial effluent while at other with tube well water. Analysis of heavy metals was performed in industrial effluent, tube well water, soils irrigated with them, and in different parts viz., roots, stem, leaves and flowers of the plant samples. Industrial effluent and soil irrigated with it had very high level of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr and As) as compared to the tube well water and soil irrigated with that. Plants of both the species growing in effluent irrigated soils showed high accumulation of metals in all plant parts with the maximum being in roots and the least in flowers. Interestingly, both species of Portulaca hyperaccumulated more than one heavy metal viz., Cd, Cr and As. The total shoot concentrations (μg g−1 dw) of Cd, Cr and As in P. tuberosa were 1,571, 7,957 and 3,118, respectively while in P. oleracea, these were 1,128, 7,552 and 2,476, respectively. Portulaca plants have good biomass and high regeneration potential; hence appear to be suitable for the remediation of effluent (metal) contaminated areas.

Abstract: Portulaca oleracea Linn, belongs to family Portulaceae and is a widely distributed weed. It has been used as a folk medicine in many countries as diuretics, febrifuge, antiseptic, antispasmodic and vermifuge. This paper deals with the microscopic study of leaf; stem and root of Portulaca oleracea, along with the physico-chemical and preliminary phytochemical analyses that were also studied.

Abstract: Portulaca grandiflora (family Portulacaceae), commonly known as moss rose purslane, is a popular ornamental plant widely grown in temperate climates because it blooms all summer. Portulaca is also used for medicinal purposes since it is rich in vitamins A, B1, and C and has antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Since March 2005, 30 to 50% of P. grandiflora plants in the ornamental gardens as well as in pots at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India have displayed symptoms resembling phytoplasma infection. Disease symptoms start as a typical bud proliferation, downward curling, and diminishing size of leaves, followed by overall stunted growth and yellowing of the whole plant from April to June. Some plants also formed rosettes and a proliferation of axillary shoots resulting in a witches'-broom appearance. Typical pleomorphic bodies, mostly spherical to oval, ranging from 340 to 1,100 nm were observed only in sieve elements of infected plants by transmission electron micros...

Abstract: The concentration of total phenolic compounds of the water extracts and 80% ethanol extracts form Portulaca oleracea were 3.05 and 6.33 , respectively. The total antioxidant activities of water extracts and 80% ethanol extracts of Portulaca oleracea were 89.2% and 72.9% in DPPH assay, 69.0% and 96.5% in ABTS assay, antioxidant protection factor of the water and 80% ethanol extracts were each 2.73 PF and 3.63 PF. Tyrosinase inhibitory activities were water extracts and 80% ethanol extracts of Portulaca oleracea were 20.2% and 38.7%. Portulaca oleracea showed high antimicrobial activites against Helicobater pylori, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Eschericia coli and Streptococcus mutans. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) on Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escheichia coli and Streptococcus mutans were 200, 50, 100, 100 and 150 , respectively. The result suggest that Portulaca oleracea extracts may be useful as potential source as antioxidant and antimicrobials.

Abstract: A sensitive and accurate high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method has been developed, validated, and used for quantification of dopamine in dried whole-plant powder of Portulaca oleracea Linn. The powder was extracted with 0.1 m HCl and the extract was separated on aluminum HPTLC plates coated with silica gel 60 F 254 , with n -butanol-glacial acetic acid-distilled water 7.0:2.0:1.0 ( v/v ) as mobile phase. Detection and quantitation were performed by densitometry, with a deuterium lamp, at 280 nm. The response to dopamine reference standard was linear in the concentration range 45.0 to 110.0 μg cm −3 . The validated method was used for quantitative analysis of dopamine in Portulaca oleracea Linn and can be used for routine quality-control analysis of whole-plant powder of Portulaca oleracea Linn.

Abstract: In the light of the medicinal resource crisis and increasing demand two ways of solving distributing,characteristic of biology and pharmaceutical value of Portulaca oleracea were raised.

Abstract: A neglected species in the Flora of Taiwan and the Philippines (the Batan islets), Portulaca psammotropha Hance, is described and illustrated. Herein, Portulaca quadrifida var. formosana and P. insularis are treated as synonym of P. psammotropha. This species is a typical littoral plant that is scattered on coral sands and coral reef in the archipelago around SE China. It can be characterized by leaves alternate; leaf blade quite fleshy, oblong to obovate-oblong, 3-10mm long, apex obtuse; petals 5, yellowish, ca. 3-5mm long. The stamen number and stigma lobes of this species vary among the populations observed.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IGFBP-5 expression inhibitor useful for controlling hair shape and the like. SOLUTION: This IGFBP-5 expression inhibitor contains a plant selected from Passiflora incarnate, Portulaca oleracea L., Thamnolia vermicularis (Ach.) Asahina, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Thlaspi arvense, Swertia japonica, Pleione bulbocodiodes (French.) Rolfe, Cremastra appendiculata (D. Don) Makino, Poria cocos, Baptisia tinctoria, and Cyperus rotundus L., or its extract as an active ingredient. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Abstract: In order to get basic information for an effective control method of weed in upland fields, a weed survey was conducted in the southwest region of Korea in 2002. A total of 102 species of 29 families was collected in the upland fields of all summer crops, and grasses were 25% in dominance. In the soybean fields, 43 species of 20 families was collected, and grasses weeds 30% in dominance. The dominance indexes were high in the order of Digitaria ciliaris, Portulaca oleracea and Cyperus amuricus. In the sesame fields, 38 species of 18 families was collected, and the dominance of Portulaca oleracea was 26%. The dominance indexes were high in the order of Portulaca oleracea, Digitaria ciliaris and Cyperus amuricus. In the red pepper fields, 48 species of 15 families was collected, and the dominance of Digitaria ciliaris was 30%. The dominance indexes were high in the order of Digitaria ciliaris, Portulaca oleracea and Cyperus amuricus. In the ginger fields, 90 species of 26 families was collected, and grasses were most dominated as 23%.

Abstract: This paper deals with the morphological features of the tracheary elements of the vegetative organs in four Portulaca species (Portulaca hirsutissima Camb., P. halimoides L., P. wedermannii Poelln. and P. mucronata Link.) occurring in Southeast and Northeast Brazil. The vessel elements are small (< 25 μm) and with simple perforation plate. The pattern of wall thickening varied from bordered pitting (in roots) to scalariform and helicoidal (stem and leaves). Statistical methods show variation in vessel-element diameter in different vegetative organs; wider elements were observed in roots. Tracheids occurring in leaves of P. hirsutissima and P.wedermannii, have morphological features that are similar to terminal tracheids or tracheoid idiolasts frequently associated with xerophytes. The paedomorphic features (juvenlism) observed here may be related, in part, to aspects of water transport and storage as described in Cactaceae.

Abstract: In order to study the effects of polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea on the blood glucose level of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice,the polysaccharide was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation from Portulaca oleracea and the diabetic mice models were induced by intraperitoneal injection (IP) of alloxan.After intragastric administration with crude extract and polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea for 5,10,and 15 d,the blood glucose levels was detected by glucose sensor.Before sacrifice,blood glucose levels were determined in tail blood samples at 0,30,60,and 120 min after glucose challenge.The polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea can lower blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic mice,but not normal mice.A significant improvement in glucose tolerance was also observed in hyperglycaemic mice treated with polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea.The results showed that the polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea has significantly hypoglycemia effect on alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprising natural materials is provided to prevent bacterial infection in the skin, retard lowering of skin-moisturizing ability and reduce skin itching without side effects, so that the composition is useful for treating or alleviating atopic dermatitis A cosmetic composition for treating ore alleviating atopic dermatitis comprises 5-25 vol% of Lespedeza bicolor extract, 1-10 vol% of camellia water, 55-93 vol% of distilled water of Portulaca oleracea L which is prepared by extracting Portulaca oleracea L with water, C1-6 lower alcohol or a mixture thereof, and distilling the extract of Portulaca oleracea L, and 1-10 vol% of glycerol

Abstract: An antimicrobial film formulation is prepared by extracting Portulaca oleracea using chloroform, petroleum ether or hot water, filtering and concentrating the extract, processing the concentrated extract into a liquid or powder state, and completely dissolving 025-05% (w/v) of the Portulaca oleracea extract, 15-2% (w/v) of chitosan and 05-2% (w/v) of glycerol in 100% (v/v) of vinegar (containing about 3-5% acetic acid)

Abstract: An extract of Portulaca oleracea is provided to inhibit fat accumulation, decompose the fat and show excellent HSL(hormone sensitive lipase) gene expression effect, thereby being applied as a health functional food or a medicine for anti-obesity. An anti-obese composition comprises an extract of Portulaca oleracea obtained by using an organic solvent such as methanol and ethanol. A method for preparing an anti-obese composition comprises the steps of: (a) breaking down a cell wall of the Portulaca oleracea through high pressure and high temperature treatment in an extrusion molding device, wet ultrasonic wave treatment, high temperature and high pressure steaming treatment or pressurization treatment to water-solubilize the cell wall of the Portulaca oleracea; and (b) adding methanol or ethanol to the water-solubilized Portulaca oleracea to obtain an extract of the Portulaca oleracea. A pharmaceutical composition for anti-obesity comprises the extract of the Portulaca oleracea as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: Five species of solvents,namely ethanol,acetone,ethyl acetate,benzene and petroleum ether were selected to obtain extracts from Portulaca oleracea L.dry powder by warm immersion method.The contact toxicity,antifeeding toxicity and stomach toxicity of each extract against Pieris rapae L.were tested.The results showed that these extracts all had certain contact toxicity.Among them,ethanol extract had the strongest contact toxicity,and the adjusted death rates were 55.13% and 64.86% at 24 h and 48 h after treatment,respectively.Whereas the antifeeding activity and the stomach toxicity of each extract against P.rapae were weak.

Abstract: Portulaca granulato-stellulata (Poellnitz) C. Ricceri & P. V. Arrigoni is a subcosmopolitan plant of uncertain origin (DANIN et al., 1978; DANIN, 2000). It has been recently reported from Tenerife Island (DANIN & REYES-BETANCORT, 2006), the first reference for the Canary Islands, since prior to this, the taxon had not been detected from any of the Macaronesian islands. Its presence was undetected due to its inclusion within the complex Portulaca oleracea sensu lato (HANSEN & SUNDING, 1993: 170; STIERSTORFER & GAISBERG, 2006).

Abstract: Two novel triterpenoids, (2α,3α)-3-{[4-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]oxy}-2,23-dihydroxy-30-methoxy-30-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1) and (2α,3α)-2,23,30-trihydroxy-3-[(β-D-xylopyranosyl)oxy]olean-12-en-28-oic acid (2) were isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., and they both showed weak cytotoxic activity assayed with the MTT method.