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Portulaca oleracea Linn. is among the medicinal plants used globally in the treatment of diseases and management of health challenges. The dearth of information on the long term effect of Portulaca oleracea on hepatic and renal toxicity prompted this study. The study investigated the subchronic effect of the oral administration of chloroform leaf extracts of Portulaca oleracea (CLEPO) and methanol leaf extracts of Portulaca oleracea (MLEPO) on plasma activity of some enzymes (ALT, ALP & AST) and levels of other biochemical parameters such as blood electrolytes, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea and creatinine in male albino rats. One hundred and twelve (112) animals were randomly divided into seven (7) groups of sixteen ( 16) rats each. Group A (Control) received 0.5ml/kg of 20% Tween 80 (vehicle), Groups B, C & D received 125, 250 & 500

Background and aim Decoctions and infusions from the aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea Linn., especially the leaves and stems, are used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria to enhance fertility in humans. The scarcity of literature on the use of this plant for the said purpose as well as its efficacy prompted this research. Study investigated effect of lipophilic and hydrophilic leaf extracts of Portulaca oleracea on oestrous cycle, female sex hormones at various phases of oestrous cycle and ovarian and uterine histomorphology in albino rats. Experimental procedure Experimental animals were randomly divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (control) received 0.5 ml 20% Tween 80 (vehicle), groups B, C & D received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg of the lipophilic extract respectively and E, F & G received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg of the hydrophilic extract respectively for 21 days. Oestrous cycle was assessed daily. At the end, blood samples (for hormones) and ovarian &uterine sections (histoarchitecture) were collected. Results and conclusion Both extracts had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on oestrous cycle, ovarian & uterine histoarchitecture and female sex hormones except at proestrus phase where significant (p < 0.05) decrease in LH and FSH was recorded. P.oleracea as used in this study may have deleterious effect on female reproductive system as shown by the disruption of the hormones at proestrus phase. This can form a basis to refute the use of P.oleracea leaf extracts in enhancing fertility as it has been shown to affect the gonadotropins involved in folliculogenesis.

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