Opuntia Ficus-indica Cladodes Research Articles

A novel method for the determination of ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity in Opuntia ficus indica using in vivo microdialysis

A simple and rapid method was developed for in vivo simultaneous determination of ascorbic-acid and antioxidant capacity in microdialysates from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller. The method is verified in water-stressed plants, as compared with a well-watered test controls. The microdialysis probe construction and insertion procedure was specifically developed to minimise the tissue trauma of the plant and to obtain optimal dialysis performance. Microdialysis was performed using a flow rate of 3μL/min and the samples were analysed by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection of ascorbic-acid and DPPH-determined antioxidant capacity. Our data indicate exponential decay of the concentrations of the analysed compounds as a function of microdialysis sampling time. Water-stressed Opuntia show decreased ascorbic acid levels and increased the others antioxidants.

A Comparative Study Between Bio-composites Obtained with Opuntia ficus indica Cladodes and Flax Fibers

This work is aimed to study the suitability of the wooden backbone of Opuntia ficus indica cladodes as reinforcement for the production of bio-composites. The wooden backbone can be extracted from O. ficus indica cladodes, which constitute a very relevant agricultural scrap, and is characterized by a thick walled cellular structure. In view of its potential in poly-lactic acid (PLA) matrix bio-composite production, two different possible applications were examined. In the first alternative, the wooden backbone was used in replacement of flax fibers for the production of fully consolidated bio-composites. Results obtained have shown that, though being characterized by lower properties compared to those of flax fiber composites, the opuntia actually works as an efficient reinforcement for PLA/wood flour matrix, increasing the flexural strength and elongation at break. In the second alternative, the cellular structure was used for the production of a sandwich bio-composite with a PLA/wood flour skin. In this case, the very high interlaminar adhesion strength between the skin and the core was considered as an indication of the potentiality of this material for the production of high strength sandwich structures. As a confirmation of this, no interlaminar debonding was observed during short beam tests.

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Ingestion Stimulates Peripheral Disposal of Oral Glucose Before and After Exercise in Healthy Men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) cladode and fruit-skin extract on blood glucose and plasma insulin increments due to high-dose carbohydrate ingestion, before and after exercise. Healthy, physically active men (n = 6; 21.0 ± 1.6 years, 78.1 ± 6.0 kg) participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study involving 2 experimental sessions. In each session, the subjects successively underwent an oral glucose tolerance test at rest (OGTT(R)), a 30-min cycling bout at ~75% VO(2max), and another OGTT after exercise (OGTT(EX)). They received capsules containing either 1,000 mg OFI or placebo (PL) 30 min before and immediately after the OGTT(R). Blood samples were collected before (t₀) and at 30-min intervals after ingestion of 75 g glucose for determination of blood glucose and serum insulin. In OGTT(EX) an additional 75-g oral glucose bolus was administered at t₆₀. In OGTT(R), OFI administration reduced the area under the glucose curve (AUC(GLUC)) by 26%, mainly due to lower blood glucose levels at t₃₀ and t₆₀ (p < .05). Furthermore, a higher serum insulin concentration was noted after OFI intake at baseline and at t₃₀ (p < .05). In OGTT(EX), blood glucose at t₆₀ was ~10% lower in OFI than in PL, which resulted in a decreased AUC(GLUC) (-37%, p < .05). However, insulin values and AUC(INS) were not different between OFI and PL. In conclusion, the current study shows that OFI extract can increase plasma insulin and thereby facilitate the clearance of an oral glucose load from the circulation at rest and after endurance exercise in healthy men.

Ecophysiology of young stems (cladodes) of Opuntia ficus-indica in wet and dry conditions

Las tasas de asimilacion neta de CO2 fueron medidas cada 2 h por 24 h en tallos jovenes (cladodios) de Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller que estaban regados o expuestos a sequia en la primavera. Tambien fue registrado el contenido relativo de agua. Los cladodios jovenes mostraron metabolismo acido de las crasulaceas (MAC). La sequia en la primavera redujo la asimilacion neta diaria de CO2 y el riego la mantuvo. El ambiente seco afecto a la expresion de las fases de MAC reduciendo la asimilacion de CO2 al final de la tarde (fase IV de MAC) mas que por la manana temprano (fase II) o por la noche (fase I). Los cladodios jovenes mantuvieron valores positivos de ganancia de carbono en la primavera: no obstante su escasa cantidad de parenquima de almacenamiento de agua. Los cladodios jovenes mostraron recuperacion rapida de la fotosintesis y en el contenido relativo de agua en respuesta la escasa lluvia que interrumpio la sequia al final de mayo. La tasa instantanea de asimilacion de CO2 y la ganancia diaria de carbono de los cladodios jovenes aumentaron significativamente en junio: despues de que las plantas recibieron una cantidad sustancial de lluvia. La eficiencia fotosintetica de cladodios jovenes es cercana a los valores observados en cladodios maduros.

Preventive Role of Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Cladodes on methotrexate-induced Biochemical, Hematological and oxidative damage in rat liver

Preventive Role of Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Cladodes on methotrexate-induced Biochemical, Hematological and oxidative damage in rat liver

Study of carbohydrates present in the cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (fodder palm), according to age and season

Types and content of carbohydrates were evaluated by chemical (spectrophotometric assay) and physicochemical (Thin Layer Chromatography - TLC and High Performance Liquid Chromatography - HPLC) methods in some Opuntia ficus-indica varieties according to age and season. The samples comprised four varieties of palm (giant, copena F1, clone 20, and round palm). The results demonstrated that the four varieties of palm contain a good quantity of neutral and acid sugars in both summer and winter seasons. However, samples collected in the summer presented a higher content of carbohydrates specially glucose, fructose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose. The tertiary cladode (old cladode) presented almost the double content of sugar found in the quaternary cladodes (young cladodes). Pectic polysaccharides were sequentially extracted with water at 60 oC, and EDTA at 60 oC solution resulting in Water-Soluble Pectin (WSP) and a Chelating-Soluble Pectin (CSP) respectively. Galacturonic acid was detected in the fractions WSP and CSP. However, the fraction CSP presented the highest content of sugar acid.

Anatomical, Chemical, and Biochemical Characterization of Cladodes from Prickly Pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes represent the green stem of the plant and are generally used as animal feed or disposed of in landfills. The present work investigated the anatomical and chemical composition of Opuntia cladodes, which form the basis of their pharmacological effects. Glucose and galacturonic acid were the main sugars of Opuntia cladodes, whereas high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed the presence of mainly kaempherol and isorhamnetin glycosides (glucoside and rhamnoside). The presence of high amounts of calcium oxalate crystals was demonstrated by light microscopy on fresh and lyophilized cladodes. No antimicrobial activity was observed even after enzymatic treatment. O. ficus-indica cladodes may retain material tightly associated with cell-wall components, and this property will have the potential to greatly reduce the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes prevent oxidative and DNA damage induced by the mycotoxin zearalenone in Balb/c mice

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes prevent oxidative and DNA damage induced by the mycotoxin zearalenone in Balb/c mice

Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. mucilages show cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosa in rat

Opuntia ficus indica cladodes possess a protective action against ethanol-induced ulcer in the rat. The major components of cladodes are carbohydrate polymers, mainly mucilages and pectin. To clarify the cytoprotective effects of cladodes on experimental ethanol-induced ulcer in rat, mucilages and pectin were extracted and were administered instead of cladodes. The above mentioned effects induced by cladodes may be attributed to mucilages, and not significantly to pectin.

Effect of hyaluronic acid and polysaccharides from Opuntia ficus indica (L.) cladodes on the metabolism of human chondrocyte cultures

Conventional medications in articular disease are often effective for symptom relief, but they can also cause significant side effects and do not slow the progression of the disease. Several natural substances have been shown to be effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), and preliminary evidence suggests that some of these compounds may exert a favourable influence on the course of the disease. In this study, we assay the anti-inflammatory/chondroprotective effect of some lyophilised extracts obtained from Opuntia ficus indica (L.) cladodes and of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the production of key molecules released during chronic inflammatory events such as nitric oxide (NO), glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), prostaglandins (PGE 2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human chondrocyte culture, stimulated with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Further the antioxidant effect of these extracts was evaluated in vitro employing the bleaching of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH test). All the extracts tested in this study showed an interesting profile in active compounds. Particularly some of these extracts were characterized by polyphenolic and polysaccharidic species. In vitro results pointed out that the extracts of Opuntia ficus indica cladodes were able to contrast the harmful effects of IL-1β. Our data showed the protective effect of the extracts of Opuntia ficus indica cladodes in cartilage alteration, which appears greater than that elicited by hyaluronic acid (HA) commonly employed as visco-supplementation in the treatment of joint diseases.

Reversing gastric mucosal alterations during ethanol-induced chronic gastritis in rats by oral administration ofOpuntia ficus-indicamucilage

To study the effect of mucilage obtained from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on the healing of ethanol-induced gastritis in rats. Chronic gastric mucosa injury was treated with mucilage (5 mg/kg per day) after it was induced by ethanol. Lipid composition, activity of 5'-nucleotidase (a membrane-associated ectoenzyme) and cytosolic activities of lactate and alcohol dehydrogenases in the plasma membrane of gastric mucosa were determined. Histological studies of gastric samples from the experimental groups were included. Ethanol elicited the histological profile of gastritis characterized by loss of the surface epithelium and infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) decreased and cholesterol content increased in plasma membranes of the gastric mucosa. In addition, cytosolic activity increased while the activity of alcohol dehydrogenases decreased. The administration of mucilage promptly corrected these enzymatic changes. In fact, mucilage readily accelerated restoration of the ethanol-induced histological alterations and the disturbances in plasma membranes of gastric mucosa, showing a univocal anti-inflammatory effect. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase correlated with the changes in lipid composition and the fluidity of gastric mucosal plasma membranes. The beneficial action of mucilage seems correlated with stabilization of plasma membranes of damaged gastric mucosa. Molecular interactions between mucilage monosaccharides and membrane phospholipids, mainly PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), may be the relevant features responsible for changing activities of membrane-attached proteins during the healing process after chronic gastric mucosal damage.

Effect of polysaccharides from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) cladodes on the healing of dermal wounds in the rat

In traditional medicine extracts of polysaccharide-containing plants are widely employed for the treatment of skin and epithelium wounds and of mucous membrane irritation. The extracts of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes are used in folk medicine for their antiulcer and wound-healing activities. The present study describes the wound-healing potential of two lyophilized polysaccharide extracts obtained from O. ficus-indica (L.) cladodes applied on large full-thickness wounds in the rat. When topically applied for 6 days, polysaccharides with a molecular weight (MW)>10(4)Da from O. ficus-indica cladodes induce a beneficial effect on cutaneous repair in this experimental model; in particular the topical application of O. ficus-indica extracts on skin lesions accelerates the reepithelization and remodelling phases, also by affecting cell-matrix interactions and by modulating laminin deposition. Furthermore, the wound-healing effect is more marked for polysaccharides with a MW ranging 10(4)-10(6)Da than for those with MW>10(6)Da, leading us to suppose that the fine structure of these polysaccharides and thus their particular hygroscopic, rheologic and viscoelastic properties may be essential for the wound-healing promoter activity observed.

Mate searching in the scale insect, Dactylopius coccus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae)

Dactylopius coccus is a sessile scale insect living on cladodes of Opuntia ficus indica which has commercial importance as a source of carminic acid. We herein present behavioural evidence of the existence of a sex pheromone in D. coccus, based on olfactometric experiments using both biological sources of odours and collected chemical extracts.

Quantitative and qualitative aspects of peroxidases extracted from cladodes of Opuntia ficus indica

Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) were extracted from fresh cladodes harvested from nine ecotypes of the cactus species Opuntia ficus indica Mill. growing as a collection, in Marrakech (South Morocco). Two enzyme fractions were obtained by a progressive solubility method leading to soluble peroxidases (S) and ionically wall-bound peroxidases (I). The preferred substrate for cladode peroxidases was determined to be o-dianisidine over 4-chloro-1-naphtol and guaiacol. Contrarily to roots, no guaiacol-based activity was found in cladodes. The late ecotypes 1‘Haddaouia’ and ‘Moussa’ showed a relatively high peroxidase ratio S/I (units g −1 fresh weight). When subjected to electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels, S and I peroxidase fractions each exhibited two enzyme forms based on their electric charges in basic and acidic gel media. Acidic peroxidase forms, well separated on basic gels, showed two principal migration zones with great differences in their enzyme activities depending on the fraction types S and I. Acidic ionically wall-bound peroxidases exhibited fast, highly active isoforms with R f values 0.42–0.58. Basic forms, represented essentially in fractions S and resolved on acidic gels, were typified by slow and fast isoforms with a double banded pattern in most ecotypes. Opuntia ecotypes collected from localities surrounding Marrakech exhibited fast basic soluble isoforms, while distant ecotypes from Marrakech, including late ones, were typified by a fast acidic ionically bound isoperoxidase of R f 0.58. Possible roles of O. f. indica peroxidases in growth and their evaluation as markers in this cactus species are discussed in this study.

Biological Activity of Opuntia ficus indica Cladodes II: Effect on Experimental Hypercholesterolemia in Rats

The influence of a daily administration of lyophilized cladodes of Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) on lipid metabolism was investigated in hypercholesterolemic rats. The preparation was administered either for 15 or 30 days (by gavage at a dose of 1 g/kg in aqueous vehicle in a volume of 1.5 ml/100 g b.w.). Cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride plasma levels were assayed. Statistically significant reductions in cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride plasma levels were found. The treatment was more effective after 30 days. The effects are probably due to the high fiber content of the cladodes, but other active ingredients could be operating in conjunction with this.

Brassinosteroid effects on the precocity and yield of cladodes of cactus pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica (L) Mill.)

The effects of two brassinosteroids (BRs) analogues, BB-6 and BB-16, were evaluated in concentrations from 0.00001 to 10 mg l −1. They were applied to the cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L) Mill. var. lutea (Cactaceae), grown under both greenhouse and field conditions. Both BR analogues stimulated larger numbers of vegetative buds under both greenhouse and field conditions, which increased the number of harvested cladodes and total harvested fresh weight. The BRs also promoted precocity, accelerating growth during the first stages of vegetative bud development, but did not alter the morphology of the harvested cladodes.

Study on the increment of the production of gastric mucus in rats treated with Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. cladodes

Opuntia ficus indica cladodes are used in traditional medicine of many countries for their cicatrisant activity. The major components of cladodes are carbohydrate-containing polymers, which consist of a mixture of mucilage and pectin. In this paper we studied the cytoprotective effects of cladodes on experimental ethanol-induced ulcer in rat. The O. ficus indica cladodes administration gives rise to cytoprotection phenomena by breaking up the epithelial cells and stimulating an increase in mucus production. When O. ficus indica cladodes are administered as a preventive therapy, keep the gastric mucosa under normal condition by preventing mucus dissolution caused by ethanol and favouring mucus production. An increase of mucus production is also observed during the course of the curative treatment. The treatment with O. ficus indica cladodes provokes an increase in the number of secretory cells. Probably, the gastric fibroblasts are involved in the antiulcer activity.

Evolution of endogenous gibberellins at different stages of flowering in relation to return bloom of cactus pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller)

The effect of flower emasculation, flower injection with paclobutrazol and the complete removal of the spring flush of flowers and cladodes on the changes in GA 3 concentration at different stages of bloom in flowers and fertile cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica has been determined. Throughout the bloom period, the concentration of GA 3 was higher in intact flowers and the cladode than in flowers emasculated or injected with paclobutrazol. With the onset of blooming, GA 3 started to accumulate both in the flower and in the fertile cladode, and the highest concentration was measured at full bloom in the flower and in the cladodes whose flowers were not removed. Flower emasculation or removal similarly affected GA 3 concentration at any stage of bloom. Until petal shedding GA 3 concentration was higher in the flowers than in the fertile cladodes. Consistent return bloom occurred only when the spring flush was removed before bloom. Fruit resulting from flowers emasculated or treated with paclobutrazol had a smaller size, percent flesh and seed content than fruits produced by untreated flowers.

Phloem-xylem water flow in developing cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica during sink-to-source transition

Phloem versus xylem water and carbon flow between a developing daughter cladode (flattened stem segment) and the underlying basal cladode of Opuntia ficus-indica was assessed using net CO2 uptake, transpiration, phloem sap concentration, and water potential of both organs as well as phloem and apoplastic tracers. A 14-d-old daughter cladode was a sink organ with a negative daily net CO2 uptake; its water potential was higher than that of the underlying basal cladode, implicating a non-xylem pathway for the water needed for growth. Indeed, the relatively dilute phloem sap (7.44% dry weight) of a basal cladode can supply all the water (7.1 gd−1) along with photosynthate needed for the growth of a 14-d-old daughter cladode; about 3% of the imported water flowed back to the basal cladode via the xylem. In contrast, a 28-d-old daughter cladode was a source organ whose water potential was lower than that of its basal cladode, so the xylem can supply the water needed (25.7 g d−1) for its growth; about 6% of the imported water flowed back to the basal cladode along with photosynthate via the phloem. The phloem tracer carboxyfluorescein occurred in the phloem of 14-d-old daughter cladodes after its precursor was applied to basal cladodes. When applied to basal cladodes, the apoplastic tracers sulphorhodamine G (SR) and trisodium 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulphonate (PTS) failed to move into 14-d-old daughter cladodes within 5 h, but moved into 28-d-old daughter cladodes within 2 h. SR and PTS moved into basal cladodes within 2 h when applied to 14-d-old daughter cladodes, but not within 5-6 h when applied to 28-d-old daughter cladodes. The tracer experiments therefore confirmed the patterns of water flow determined using water and carbon budgets.

Doubling the CO2 Concentration Enhanced the Activity of Carbohydrate-Metabolism Enzymes, Source Carbohydrate Production, Photoassimilate Transport, and Sink Strength for Opuntia ficus-indica.

After exposure to a doubled CO2 concentration of 750 [mu]mol mol-1 air for about 3 months glucose and starch in the chlorenchyma of basal cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica increased 175 and 57%, respectively, compared with the current CO2 concentration of 370 [mu]mol mol-1, but sucrose content was virtually unaffected. Doubling the CO2 concentration increased the nocturnal malate production in basal cladodes by 75%, inorganic phosphate (Pi) by 32%, soluble starch synthase activity by 30%, and sucrose-Pi synthase activity by 146%, but did not affect the activity of hexokinase. Doubling CO2 accelerated phloem transport of sucrose out of the basal cladodes, resulting in a 73% higher dry weight for the daughter cladodes. Doubling CO2 increased the glucose content in 14-d-old daughter cladodes by 167%, increased nocturnal malate production by 22%, decreased total amino acid content by 61%, and increased soluble starch synthase activity by 30% and sucrose synthase activity by 62%. No downward acclimation of photosynthesis during long-term exposure to elevated CO2 concentrations occurs for O. ficus-indica (M. Cui, P.M. Miller, P.S. Nobel [1993] Plant Physiol 103: 519-524; P.S. Nobel, A.A. Israel [1994] J Exp Bot 45: 295-303), consistent with its higher source capacity and sink strength than under current CO2. These changes apparently do not result in Pi limitation of photosynthesis or suppression of genes governing photosynthesis for this perennial Crassulacean acid metabolism species, as occur for some annual crops.