Abstract
The cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) is known to have bioactive compounds which work in the prevention of various diseases, especially cancer. The objectives of the study were to characterize the chemical profile and genetic diversity, through chromatic tests and 1H NMR, using multivariate analysis, and assess the cytotoxic potential of cactus pear varieties of Opuntia and Nopalea genera grown in the semi-arid region of Brazil in dry and wet seasons. In the study of chemical prospecting and cytotoxic activity, crude ethanol extracts from cladodes of varieties (IPA-100003, IPA-100004, IPA-200021, IPA-200205, IPA-200008, IPA-200149 and IPA-200016) were used. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl bromide tetrazolin] against HCT-116 (human colorectal), SF-295 (human glioblastoma) and OVCAR-8 (human ovarian cancer). The group of chemicals which stand out are the carbohydrates and glycosylated substances, lipids (fatty acids and steroids) and phenolic compounds (flavonoids), which vary both between the botanical varieties studied and among the collection periods. The analysis of the NMR spectra of 1H cactus pear varieties by methods of multivariate analysis finds genetic diversity among the materials in the dry and rainy seasons. The ethanol extract (50 μg ml-1) shows limited growth inhibitory effect on the cancer cell lines examined. It is concluded that the cytotoxic activity of cactus pear cladodes is attributed to phenolic compounds especially the flavonoids. It is recommended that population at risk utilize these materials as preventative natural dietary supplements against cancer. Key words: Anticancer, cactus pear, flavonoids, food analysis, forage, phenolics, semiarid.
Highlights
The cactus pear of the genera Opuntia and Nopalea are widely cultivated in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil, and represent an important forage option in the dry season
Of the tests for the identification of the main classes present in the cactus pear of cladodes the presence of flavonoids and steroids in all varieties were detected in both periods studied
The presence of flavonoids and steroids on cladodes of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica) was cited by Brás (2011) and Soares (2012), the presence of tannins in the cactus pear cladodes was reported by Mendez et al (2012) studying Opuntia ficus indica, and Bari et al (2012) researching Opuntia monacantha, corroborating the results obtained in this work
Summary
The cactus pear of the genera Opuntia and Nopalea are widely (about 550.000 ha) cultivated in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil, and represent an important forage option in the dry season. Due to the cactus pear having morphophysiological mechanisms to absorb small amounts of rain water and reduce water loss through transpiration, it is well-adapted to arid and semi-arid regions, where water is a limiting factor in agricultural production For this reason, cultivation of the cactus pear is a viable alternative source of income for inhabitants of these regions in the dry season, who depend in agriculture for their livelihood (Oliveira et al, 2010). Since there are social classes with low financial power what have no access to allopathic medicine (Nascimento et al, 2016) In this context, only in 2011, phytotherapy in Brazil generated revenues R$ 1.1 billion. The popular and institutional interest has grown to strengthen phytotherapy in the Unified Health System (SUS) as the use of medicinal plants and their rituals provides an economical way healing for most of the population, contributes significantly to the attention primary health (Nascimento et al, 2016)
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