Attenuating effect of Portulaca oleracea extract in chronic constriction injury induced neuropathic pain in rats: an evidence of anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties

Neuropathic pain responds poorly to drug treatments. The present study investigated the therapeutic effect of Portulaca oleracea, in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Neuropathic pain was performed by putting four loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve. CCI resulted in the development of heat hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia accompanied by an increase in the contents of TNF-α, IL1β, malondialdehyde, with a reduction in total thiol content. Administration of Portulaca oleracea (100 and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for 14 days in CCI rats significantly alleviated pain-related behaviors, oxidative damage and inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, it is suggested that antinociceptive effects of Portulaca oleracea might be due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.