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

ABSTRACT 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.