TNF-α Inhibitory and Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Portulaca oleracea for Potential Effects in Nephritis

Introduction: Urolithiasis, commonly known as kidney stone disease, can cause excruciating pain and is often difficult to manage with conventional allopathic medicine without resorting to surgical intervention. Recently, a growing body of research has focused on validating the efficacy of traditional medicinal plants, offering hope for alternative management strategies for urolithiasis. In this context, we identified a gap between traditional claims and scientific validation regarding the use of Portulaca oleracea in the management of renal calculi. Methods: Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the antiurolithiatic efficacy of the ethanol extract of Portulaca oleracea (EEPO) leaves. The study also included phytochemical analysis and molecular docking investigations. Results and Discussion: Notably, docking studies revealed that quercetin, a key constituent of P. oleracea, exhibited high binding affinity toward human TNF-alpha, a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in kidney inflammation. At dose level 1000 (μg/mL), the percent inhibitory activity of PO extract was 78.48% while that of Cystone was 73.72 % and that of pure compound quercetin was 82.01%. So the results indicate that Quercetin may be active in the dissolution of stones in case of EEPO, also suggesting the potential of P. oleracea extract in the dissolution of renal calculi. Conclusion: Portulaca oleracea leaves exhibit significant antiurolithiatic activity, likely due to the presence of quercetin and other bioactive phytoconstituents, supporting its traditional use and indicating promise for further development as a natural therapeutic agent.