Neuropharmacological and Neuroprotective Effect of Portulaca oleracea Extract in Rats

Neurological disorders remain a significant global health challenge, necessitating the search for safer and more effective therapeutic agents. Portulaca oleracea has attracted considerable attention because of its rich phytochemical composition and reported neuroprotective properties. This study investigated the neuropharmacological and neuroprotective effects of aqueous Portulaca oleracea extract using the rat phrenic nerve–diaphragm preparation. The effects of the extract on neuromuscular transmission were compared with those of pancuronium and D-tubocurarine, two established non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents. Under control conditions, normal diaphragm contractions were observed following phrenic nerve stimulation. Administration of pancuronium and D-tubocurarine produced concentration-dependent inhibition of contractile responses, which were reversed after tissue washing. Similarly, the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea caused a marked reduction in contraction amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner, with substantial recovery following washing, indicating a reversible effect. Furthermore, physostigmine reversed both D-tubocurarine- and extract-induced blockades, suggesting the involvement of cholinergic mechanisms at the neuromuscular junction. The findings indicate that Portulaca oleracea possesses significant neuropharmacological activity and may interfere with cholinergic neurotransmission through mechanisms comparable to those of classical non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers. These results provide additional evidence supporting the biological activity of Portulaca oleracea and highlight its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for further neuroprotective and neuromuscular research.