Abstract
Background Traditionally, fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill. were used for their immunomodulatory and antiasthmatic action. The presence of potentially active nutrients and their multifunctional properties make prickly pear a perfect candidate for the production of phytopharmaceutical products. Objective The objective of the present study was to evaluate the bronchodilatory properties of fruits of O. elatior Mill. Materials and methods The bronchodilatory properties were evaluated using bronchospasm induced by acetylcholine and histamine, anticholinergic action on isolated rat ileum, and antihistaminic action on isolated guinea pig ileum. Result and discussion Bronchodilating effect of fruit juice was dose dependent against spasm induced by acetylcholine and histamine. O. elatior Mill. fruits possess a significant inhibitory effect on rat and guinea pig ileum contraction through antihistaminic and antimuscarinic action. Conclusion This study suggested that fruits of O. elatior Mill. possess a significant inhibitory effect on rat and guinea pig ileum, and betacyanin, an active principle compound in prickly pear, may be responsible for the action.
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