Research Progress on the Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Veterinary Clinical Application of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

Veterinary practice faces rising antimicrobial resistance, driving interest in plant-derived alternatives. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), a medicinal edible herb with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, is a promising candidate. This narrative review synthesizes 160 studies into a unified framework linking chemical composition (flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, organic acids), pharmacological activities (12 major effects), and veterinary applications. Mechanistically, polysaccharides act as immunomodulators via the TLR4/MyD88 pathway; flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) exert antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects through NF-κB/MAPK inhibition and Nrf2 activation; organic acid extracts show potent anti-MRSA activity (MIC 0.5–1.0 mg/mL); and alkaloids enhance insulin secretion. In vivo, dietary purslane at 2–3% improves broiler growth performance and feed conversion, while supplementation enriches omega-3 fatty acids in eggs and meat. However, translational barriers persist, including limited pharmacokinetic data, lack of large-scale field trials, and insufficient safety and residue-depletion information for food-producing animals. We outline future priorities, including species-specific pharmacokinetic studies, field efficacy trials, and quality-control standards, positioning purslane as a mechanism-rich, antibiotic-sparing candidate for further investigation in veterinary therapeutics and functional feed additives.