Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Antioxidant Evaluation of Portulaca oleracea L. Redjila Extracts

Portulaca oleracea L., a member of the Portulacaceae family locally known as "Redjila," is a significant medicinal plant widely utilized in traditional medicine due to its diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of this species using solvents of varying polarity. Crude extracts were obtained through aqueous, ethanolic, and dichloromethane extraction, resulting in yields of 38%, 27%, and 6%, respectively.

Comprehensive phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of several bioactive secondary metabolites, specifically alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and reducing compound. Quantitative assessment of the total phenolic content revealed that the dichloromethane extract contained the highest concentration (10.5 mg/g), followed by the ethanolic extract (9.3 mg/g) and the aqueous extract (6.3 mg/g). Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated by determining the IC50 values. The results demonstrated that the ethanolic extract (EE) exhibited the most potent radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 0.0025 g/L, while the aqueous extract (EA) showed a value of 0.0043 g/L.

These findings suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of P. oleracea is closely linked to its rich polyphenolic profile. The high antioxidant activity observed, particularly in the ethanolic extract, highlights the potential of this plant as a natural source of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical industry. This study provides a scientific basis for the traditional use of "Redjila" in managing oxidative stress-related diseases.