The Extract of Portulaca oleracea and its Constituent, Alpha Linolenic Acid Affects Serum Oxidant Levels and Inflammatory Cells in Sensitized Rats

The effects of Portulaca oleracea and its constituent, alpha linolenic acid on serum oxidant levels and inflammatory cells in sensitized rats were examined. Eight groups of rats including control, sensitized, sensitized rats treated with 1, 2 and 4 mg/mL extract of P. oleracea, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and 1.25 μg/mL dexamethaswere studied serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT, thiol groups, NO2, NO3, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as total and differential WBC in blood were measured. Serum concentrations of SOD, CAT and thiol were significantly decreased but NO2, NO3 and MDA as well as total WBC number and percentages of eosinophil and neutrophil were increased in sensitized group (p