Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Shaiphali Saxena

Abstract:
The present study aims to assess the antioxidant potential and mineral estimation of the two important conventional medicinal herbs namely Portulaca oleracea L. and Portulaca quadrifida L. that are considered to be the richest in having omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In the two crude extracts of aqua-methnol and aqua-acetone, protein denaturation inhibition (%) of P. oleracea was almost equal (97.09±0.51) to that of Diclofenac sodium (98.41±0.49) in aqua-methanol. The IC₅₀ (μg/ml) of DPPH and ferrous chelation were maximum (37.34 and 54.98, respectively) in aqua-methanol for P. oleracea. FRAP (μg TE/mg extract) was maximum in aqua-methanol for both species. The TAA (μg AAE/mg extract) was higher (52.12±0.38) in aqua-methanol extract of P. oleracea; while the TAA in aqua-acetone was almost equal in P. oleracea (30.60±0.34) and P. quadrifida (28.31±0.99). The TPC (μg GAE/mg extract) was highest (80.52±2.69) in P. oleracea aqua-methanol extract. The total flavonoid content (μg QE/mg extract) was higher in aqua-methanol extract (7.23±0.09) of P. oleracea and aqua-acetone extract (6.58±1.22) of P. quadrifida. Both the plant species exhibited mineral content under permissible limit. The present investigation may help in guiding the future pharmacological testing of reference Portulaca sp. against inflammation and harmful reactive oxidants related diseases.