Top 5 Conditions for Prickly Pear

1. Anti-Oxidant Anti-Cancer Activity

The research involved assessing the anti-cancer and antioxidant properties of various components extracted from the peel of Opuntia ficus-indica. To evaluate anti-cancer activity, a trypan blue technique was employed, targeting Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EACC). Antioxidant activity was determined using the α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging assay and compared against the positive controls represented by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Among the extracts, chloroform and ethanol extracts exhibited the most robust antioxidant and anti-cancer effects in the assay. The ethanol extract was subsequently divided into nine fractions (E1-E9) using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Notably, the E8 and E9 fractions consistently displayed the highest antioxidant and anti-cancer activities, and these two fractions were identified through various spectroscopic techniques, such as mass spectrometry (MS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR). The chemical compounds in these fractions were identified as 17-hydroxy betanin and betanin. Additionally, the study measured the total phenolic content, tannins, flavonoids, betanins, and reducing powers of different extracts and their fractions. The results indicated a significant correlation between the antioxidant and anti-cancer potency and the total phenolic content.

2. Diabetic and Cholesterol control

This study aimed to assess the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit juice, as well as its impact on various biochemical parameters, enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats induced by alloxan. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of alloxan (130 mg/Kg BW). Diabetic rats were orally given cactus fruit juice either as a single or repeated dose (5 ml/once, twice, three, or four times/rat) daily for five weeks. In the serum of alloxan-induced diabetic rats, levels of glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased (P < 0.05), while levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), HDL-cholesterol, protein, hemoglobin, and liver glycogen significantly decreased. Treatment with single or repeated doses of cactus fruit juice in diabetic rats restored these parameters to their normal levels. Histopathological analysis revealed that cactus juice protected and repaired the liver, kidney, and pancreas tissues, countering the toxic effects of alloxan. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that cactus fruit juice is rich in bioactive compounds such as total phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, dietary fibers, betalains, taurine, and linoleic acid. It also contains vitamins (C, E, group-B, and β-carotene), minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium), and free amino acids (proline, phenylalanine, alanine, lysine, and histidine). Additionally, the sensory attributes of fresh cactus fruit juice received high scores. In summary, cactus fruit juice exhibits antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antiatherogenic properties, positively influencing the body's redox balance, reducing lipid oxidative damage, and enhancing antioxidant status in diabetic rats. These effects may be attributed to its antioxidant activity, bioactive compounds, its high selenium content, or a combination of these factors producing synergistic effects.

3. Nutritional and functional properties.

In recent times, natural products and health foods have garnered significant attention, both among healthcare professionals and the general population. They are recognized for their potential to enhance overall well-being and contribute to disease prevention, including cancer. As part of this trend, various fruits and vegetables have been reassessed and acknowledged as valuable sources of nutraceuticals. Cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) fruits and cladodes are particularly promising candidates for the development of health-promoting foods and dietary supplements due to the abundance of potentially beneficial nutrients and their multifunctional properties. Recent research has uncovered the substantial presence of certain chemical constituents in cactus pear, which enhances its value from both a nutritional and technological standpoint. Notably, cactus pear exhibits high levels of betalains, taurine, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

4. Immunity

The immune system serves as our body's primary defense mechanism. Strengthening the immune system has become a prominent focus of current research due to the urgent need for safe and cost-effective immune boosters that are readily accessible to the general population. Prickly Pear, a plant known for its phytochemicals, has recently been reported to exhibit immune-stimulating properties. This study aimed to assess the in vitro immune-stimulating effects of Prickly Pear fruit juice. Prickly pear fruits were sourced from the local market in Tramba, Gujarat, India. The juice, devoid of seeds, was prepared, and its immune-stimulating potential was evaluated through in-vitro phagocytosis tests. The confirmation of Prickly Pear's immune-stimulating properties was carried out using the nitro blue tetrazolium dye test. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging capabilities of Prickly Pear were also assessed using DPPH and H2O2 tests. Statistical analysis was conducted.

The results from the phagocytic activity data showed significant differences when compared to the control, with a level of significance of P > 0.001. Similarly, the DPPH model indicated significant differences in the results compared to the control, with a level of significance of P > 0.001. The H2O2 model demonstrated that the data were significantly different from the control, with a level of significance of P > 0.001. Consequently, the study confirmed the immune-stimulating and free radical scavenging activities of Prickly Pear. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Prickly Pear exhibits potent immune-stimulating potential and strong free radical scavenging capabilities.

5. A new drug for cancer prevention.

Globally, around 4.5 million people succumb to cancer each year. Recently, there has been a growing inclination towards embracing botanical therapies, which utilize various plant components as medicinal agents. It's worth noting that a single plant may have the potential to address multiple health issues concurrently by boosting the immune system to combat cancer cells. Remarkably, there is an increasing and noteworthy interest in botanical or "herbal" remedies, particularly among cancer patients.

In the current research, we delved into the in vitro anti-cancer properties of different fractions derived from the cactus Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw. using Erlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell lines. When EAC cells were exposed to these O. dillenii fractions, they exhibited apoptosis, a phenomenon that was further validated through fluorescent and confocal microscopy. Additionally, flow cytometric analysis was employed to ascertain the cellular DNA content, revealing that pigment-treated cells displayed a substantial 78.88% apoptosis, while pulp and pectin-treated cells showed 39% and 38% apoptosis, respectively. Furthermore, a Tunnel assay was conducted to detect extensive DNA degradation in the later stages of apoptosis, which was observed in all fractions, with the pigment fraction displaying particularly strong activity.

The data we obtained strongly suggests that the pigment from O. dillenii fruit holds promise as a potential agent for cancer prevention. Further investigations involving different cell lines and animal models will be instrumental in developing a new cancer treatment drug.