Abstract
Non-communicable diseases such as gastric inflammatory diseases and the hepatic pathologies are mainly related to bad lifestyle habits such as recurrent consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), excessive intake of alcohol, tobacco, steroids (high doses), alkaline agents, strong acid foods, and high-fat food, and Helicobacter pylori infections, among others. The fruit of Opuntia oligacantha C.F. Först var. Ulapa (xoconostle) is currently being studied due its nutritional and functional properties. The objective of the present study was to evaluate gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities of different parts of xoconostle fruit by establishing in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Four treatments were established to test aqueous extracts (pericarp (P), mesocarp (M), endocarp (E) and whole fruit (W)). The quantified bioactive compounds were the total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and betalains. The enzymatic assays were: urease, elastase, and β-glucuronidase. Significant differences (p < 0.05) of bioactive compounds content were measured in xoconostle extracts, the highest concentration was found in W (phenols 313 mg GAE/100 g, flavonoids 189 mg QE/100 g, tannins 71 mg CATE/100 g). The betalains content was higher in E; 17 mg/100 g significant differences were observed (p < 0.05) in the enzymatic inhibitions test (urease, elastase and β-glucuronidase), where W presented the highest inhibition activity (86%, 79%, and 84%), respectively. Bioactive compounds after in vitro gastrointestinal tests were maintained above 60% enzymatic inhibition activity.
Highlights
Chronic gastric-inflammatory diseases are mainly related to lifestyle, such as excessive consumption of strong acids, alkaline agents, the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, abuse in the consumption of fatty foods, and the irresponsible use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [1]; the last two factors cause liver damage [2]
Flavonoids, and tannins, the highest concentration was found in whole fruit extracts (313.26 mg GAE/100 g, 189.53 mg QE/100 g and 71.067 mg CATE/100 g), respectively, and betalains with 17.45 mg/100 g; the highest concentration was found in the seed
In the betalain results of xoconostle Ulapa, variation was found in comparison with xoconostle Rosa since it has been reported values of 31 mg/100 g and 47 mg/100 g in the endocarp and pericarp, respectively, according to Morales et al [26]
Summary
Chronic gastric-inflammatory diseases are mainly related to lifestyle, such as excessive consumption of strong acids, alkaline agents, the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, abuse in the consumption of fatty foods, and the irresponsible use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [1]; the last two factors cause liver damage [2]. B-glucuronidase is associated with liver damage and occurs with elevated levels of this enzyme in the blood [8]. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-D-glucuronic acid [9], which, at abnormal levels, limits the process of xenobiotic biotransformation of the conjugation of toxins with glucuronic acid; it could reduce the capacity of the system to deactivate toxic compounds and eliminate them from the body [10]
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