PORTULACA OLERACEA L. IN THE ERA OF GLOBALISATION: A SPECIES OF GREAT NUTRACEUTICAL VALUE

Portulaca oleracea L. is a common ruderal, synanthropic, cosmopolitan taxon, highly polymorphic, typical of warm sites (Danin and Raus, 2012; Danin et al., 2014; Danin et al., submitted). In Italy its status as a native species is doubtful (Pignatti, 1982). It is well known since the antiquity for its medicinal and nutrient qualities (Bosi et al., 2009): all parts of the plant have therapeutic properties (Gastaldo, 1987). It has been used for a long time as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diuretic, emollient, lenitive and anaphrodisiac. Many of such properties have been recently confirmed; furthermore, P. oleracea is very rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ezekwe et al., 1999), so that its use is recommended to contrast the excess of fatty acids assumed by fast foods (Picchi and Pieroni, 2005) and its seeds are good to counteract diabetes mellitus (El-Sayed, 2011).