Green GC-MS Profiling of Portulaca oleracea Phytochemicals for Antirheumatoid Potency: A Sustainable Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Natural Antioxidants

Kamri, Andi Maulana; Putra, Bayu; Maryam, St.; Arya Isma, Aidil Febryan; Muhtadzim, Achmad; Azizah, Rizqi Nur

doi:10.48309/ajgc.2026.549966.1837

Green GC-MS Profiling of Portulaca oleracea Phytochemicals for Antirheumatoid Potency: A Sustainable Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Natural Antioxidants

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Andi Maulana Kamri ¹

Bayu Putra ¹

St. Maryam ²

Aidil Febryan Arya Isma ³

Achmad Muhtadzim ²

Rizqi Nur Azizah ¹

¹ Laboratory of Biopharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia

² Laboratory of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia

³ Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia

https://doi.org/10.48309/ajgc.2026.549966.1837

Abstract

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) has historically been utilized in traditional medicine to address numerous inflammatory ailments, including arthritis symptoms. This work seeks to thoroughly characterize the bioactive chemicals in purslane leaf extract and examine its potential as an antirheumatoid drug using a metabolomic analysis approach. Purslane leaf extract was procured using ultrasound-assisted extraction and analyzed using two advanced chromatography-mass spectrometry platforms. Volatile and semi-volatile chemical profiles were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while polar and thermolabile compounds were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Compound identification was conducted by contrasting mass spectra, retention durations, and fragmentation patterns with authoritative databases (NIST, Wiley, mzCloud, and ChemSpider). GC-MS analysis identified 72 bioactive chemicals, predominantly comprising fatty acids, terpenoids, steroids, and prospective antioxidants. LC-MS/MS analysis verified the existence of phenolic compounds, specifically gallic acid and kojic acid, alongside nitrogenous compounds such as stearamide. Chromone and phenolic acid derivatives exhibit the highest relative abundance. Many discovered compounds possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties that can influence various pathways in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, including the inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6. The identification of compounds exhibiting synergistic processes pertinent to rheumatoid arthritis therapy substantiates the traditional utilization of this plant.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Portulaca oleracea

GC-MS

LC-MS/MS

Bioactive substances

Anti-inflammatory properties

Subjects

Biochemistry

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