Exploring the effects of portulaca oleracea (olasiman) on maternal-neonatal wellness: ICR murine model

• Main Author: Almazar, Christopher Sebastiano P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: Portulaca oleracea—Risk factors; Maternal health services; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_bio/18; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=etdb_bio
• Institution: De La Salle University

Indigenous food crops can be found all over the country and many are still yet to be discovered and recognized as commonly cultivated crops. These indigenous food crops are recognized for their potential to become complementary alternative sources of macronutrients and micronutrients, especially as an intervention for maternal-neonatal wellness. To be able to recognize its full potential, this study is aimed to validate and screen the possible benefits and health risk of Portulaca oleracea L. during pregnancy. This was done through observing embryonic implantation status, anthropometrics, growth rates, and histomorphology of placenta, liver, and kidney. Results show that the consumption of P. oleracea L. before the onset of pregnancy until the end did not compromise the embryonic implantation, growth, and development. Though there is no significant effect on the pregnancy, it had successfully sustained growth of neonates until the juvenile stage. To be able to fully explore the potential of P. oleracea L., it is highly recommended to further study more on preservation of nutrients, culinary preparations, and post-harvest preservation and storage methods.