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PubMed · Edible exosome-like nanoparticles from portulaca oleracea L mitigate DSS-induced colitis via facilitating double-positive CD4<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup>T cells expansion. (2023)
PubMed · Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of digestive inflammatory cancer transformation: Portulaca oleracea L. as a promising drug. (2024)
Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals
Munyeroo (Portulaca oleracea) is known in English as Purslane, Pigweed, Common Purslane. It is traditionally used for nutritive food medicine in aboriginal australia, digestive conditions in middle eastern folk medicine, wound healing in european folk medicine.
Is Munyeroo safe during pregnancy?
Munyeroo should be used with caution during pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider before use.
Does Munyeroo interact with medications?
Munyeroo has no well-documented major drug interactions in our database, but always inform your healthcare provider about all supplements you take.
What are the side effects of Munyeroo?
High oxalate content may contribute to kidney stone formation; avoid in individuals with a history of calcium oxalate stones.. Generally safe as a food herb; large medicinal doses (exceeding 100 g fresh herb daily) may cause gastrointestinal upset or oxalate toxicity.. Pregnancy: safe as food, but caution with medicinal doses due to potential uterine stimulation from high oxalate or alkaloid content.
How do I calculate a safe dose of Munyeroo?
Use HerbAlly's free herbal dosage calculator — enter the adult reference dose for Munyeroo, plus age and weight, to get a Clark's / Young's rule pediatric estimate. Never exceed the adult dose.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Portulaca oleracea (purslane) is a cosmopolitan annual succulent herb used as both a nutritious vegetable and a traditional medicine [PMID:25085039, PMID:25692148]. It is recognized for its wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities [PMID:25692148, PMID:35028454].
Background
Portulaca oleracea L., also known as purslane, pigweed, or fatweed, is an annual succulent herb in the Portulacaceae family found globally [PMID:25085039, PMID:25692148]. It is a climate-resilient species that integrates both C4 and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis pathways [PMID:33723625, PMID:37587696].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used as a nutritious food and ethnomedicinal treatment for various ailments, including gastrointestinal diseases, liver inflammation, arthritis, burns, cough, headache, and shortness of breath [PMID:36064150, PMID:36594059]. In Persian medicine, it is used for skin ailments [PMID:37872023].
Active compounds
The plant is rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids (especially α-linolenic acid), ascorbic acid, glutathione, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene [PMID:25085039]. Other active constituents include polyphenols, polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, organic acids (such as Oleraceacid A and B), and minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc [PMID:39675274, PMID:37375369, PMID:34749551, PMID:34091292, PMID:33723625].
Mechanism of action
Purslane may alleviate ulcerative colitis by restoring the intestinal barrier, gut microbiota, and metabolites [PMID:39675274]. It may protect endothelial function by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress through AMPK activation [PMID:3813625 la]. Some components, such as aurantiamide acetate, are predicted to act as Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitors [PMID:40538548]. Polysaccharides from the plant may exert antiviral effects by increasing IFN-α expression [PMID:37508085].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AFasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
Purslane supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels in both general glycemic index assessments and specifically in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [PMID:37661794, PMID:39454818]
Supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C in patients with T2DM [PMID:39454818]
Evidence BChronic Hand Eczema
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of standardized purslane extract for adults with mild to moderate chronic hand eczema [PMID:37872023]
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial investigated the benefits of a 700 mg purslane supplement over eight weeks on liver function and metabolic profiles [PMID:39135554]
Evidence DUlcerative Colitis
In mice, Portulaca oleracea alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) score, and decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) responses [PMID:39675274]
Safety & adverse effects
The safety of P. oleracea L. has been demonstrated in several clinical trials [PMID:30327154].
Evidence summary
Evidence is strongest (Level A) for the reduction of fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles in diabetic patients via meta-analyses of RCTs. There is emerging clinical evidence (Level B) for its use in NAFLD and chronic hand eczema. Preclinical evidence (Level D) is extensive regarding anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in animal models.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 39675274 (2025) — Polyphenols-rich Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) alleviates ulcerative colitis through restiring the intestinal barrier, gut microbiota and metabolites. · Food chemistry
2.PMID: 41139019 (2025) — Bioactivity and multi-omics profiling of purslane-derived nanovesicles with therapeutic implications in diabetic wounds. · Journal of advanced research
3.PMID: 36474567 (2022) — Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) on the metabolic syndrome: A review. · Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
4.PMID: 36064150 (2022) — Ameliorative effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) on the metabolic syndrome: A review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 25085039 (2014) — Genetic improvement of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and its future prospects.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
Purslane ethanol extract (400 mg/kg/day) normalized plasma lipid profiles and reduced plasma interleukin-6 in ApoE-/- mice [PMID:41896950]
Evidence DAtopic Dermatitis
Topical application of PO hydrogel in mice restored skin barrier function and reduced cutaneous inflammation [PMID:40538548]
· Molecular biology reports
6.PMID: 35028454 (2022) — A review on bioactive phytochemicals and ethnopharmacological potential of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). · Heliyon
7.PMID: 33723625 (2023) — Multipurpose Benefits of an Underexplored Species Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): A Critical Review. · Environmental management
8.PMID: 37375369 (2023) — Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activity and Application of Polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane): A Review. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 37661794 (2023) — The effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on glycemic indices: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
10.PMID: 34749551 (2022) — Two new organic acids from Portulaca oleracea L. and their anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase activities. · Natural product research
11.PMID: 29600768 (2019) — The Hepato-protective Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. extract: Review. · Current drug discovery technologies
12.PMID: 40538548 (2025) — Aqueous extracts of Portulaca oleracea L. alleviate atopic dermatitis by restoring skin barrier function. · Frontiers in pharmacology
13.PMID: 39454818 (2024) — The effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on C-reactive protein, lipid profile, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. · Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators
14.PMID: 37587696 (2023) — Gene duplications facilitate C4-CAM compatibility in common purslane. · Plant physiology
15.PMID: 30327154 (2019) — The therapeutic effects of Portulaca oleracea L. in hepatogastric disorders. · Gastroenterologia y hepatologia
16.PMID: 36594059 (2023) — Ameliorative effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders: A review. · Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
17.PMID: 34091292 (2021) — Water-soluble alkaloids isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. · Bioorganic chemistry
18.PMID: 41896950 (2026) — Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Extract Alleviates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice. · Molecular nutrition & food research
19.PMID: 37508085 (2023) — Portulaca oleracea L. Polysaccharide Inhibits Porcine Rotavirus In Vitro. · Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
20.PMID: 37872023 (2024) — Efficacy and safety of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) for mild to moderate chronic hand eczema; A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. · Explore (New York, N.Y.)
21.PMID: 38136251 (2023) — Portulaca Oleracea L. (Purslane) Extract Protects Endothelial Function by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress through AMPK Activation in Diabetic Obese Mice. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
22.PMID: 25692148 (2015) — Portulaca oleracea L.: a review of phytochemistry and pharmacological effects. · BioMed research international
23.PMID: 39135554 (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. · Frontiers in nutrition