Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) polysaccharide attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury by modulating the gut microbiota in mice

This study investigated the preventive and protective effects of Portulaca oleracea polysaccharides (PP) on Acute liver injury (ALI) in mice and its regulatory effects on intestinal microorganisms, and explored the underlying protective mechanisms. Initially, PP was administered, and then CCl4 was used to induce the mouse ALI model. Serum and liver markers were measured by ELISA. The fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that PP significantly decreased the expression levels of ALT and AST in the serum of mice. The expression levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 in liver tissue were found to be reduced, while the levels of GSH and SOD increased. At the same time, PP increased the number of Bacteroides, reduced the number of Proteobacteria, activated the GAG degradation pathway, protected the integrity of the intestinal barrier, inhibited oxidative stress and reduced inflammation, thereby assisting the prevention and protection of ALI.