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. 2024 Jul 29:11:1371137.
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1371137. eCollection 2024.

Effects of Portulaca oleracea (purslane) on liver function tests, metabolic profile, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Narges Milkarizi  1   2 , Hanieh Barghchi  1   2 , Saba Belyani  3 , Hossein Bahari  4 , Farnood Rajabzade  5 , Andisheh Norouzian Ostad  1 , Ladan Goshayeshi  6   7 , Mohsen Nematy  8 , Vahid Reza Askari  9   10
Affiliations

Effects of Portulaca oleracea (purslane) on liver function tests, metabolic profile, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Narges Milkarizi et al. Front Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disease. Portulaca oleracea exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. This clinical trial aimed to investigate the potential benefits of Portulaca oleracea in improving NAFLD.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial enrolled 70 patients with NAFLD assigned to either the intervention group (n = 35) or placebo group (n = 35) using stratified block randomization. The intervention group received 700 mg Portulaca oleracea supplement for eight weeks, while the control group received placebo capsules. In addition, all participants received a calorie-restricted diet. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed using elastography along with liver function and metabolic tests, blood pressure measurements, body composition analysis and dietary records pre-and post-intervention.

Results: The average age of the participants was 44.01 ± 8.6 years, of which 34 (48.6%) were women. The group receiving Portulaca oleracea showed significant weight changes, body mass index, fat mass index, and waist circumference compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). In addition, blood sugar, lipid profile, liver enzymes aspartate and alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and systolic blood pressure were significantly improved in the intervention group compared to those in the placebo (p < 0.05). During the study, inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators, improved significantly (p < 0.05). Based on the elastography results, the hepatorenal ultrasound index and liver stiffness decreased significantly in the Portulaca oleracea group compared to the placebo (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The present clinical trial showed that receiving Portulaca oleracea supplement for eight weeks can improve the condition of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Keywords: Portulaca oleracea; inflammation; liver steatosis; non-alcoholic fatty liver; oxidative stress; purslane.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consort flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The grade of liver steatosis at baseline and at the end of intervention in placebo and purslane groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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