Cactus Extracts Research Articles

Can nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) treat obesity?

This review describes composition, general physiological and health effects, as well as the currently available knowledge concerning the action of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (prickly pear, nopal cactus) on fat metabolism and its applicability for treatment of obesity. The available data demonstrates a number of positive physiological and therapeutic features of nopal cactus. There is experimental evidence for its principal applicability for inhibition of fat generation and oxidation and, therefore, of obesity in animals and humans. On the other hand, the available data are contradictory – they indicate either inhibitory, stimulatory or no nopal influence on adipose tissue. There is no direct evidence concerning active constituents and mechanisms of action of Opuntia extract. Only few clinical studies were performed to examine anti-obesity potential of this extract, whilst they demonstrated no or only weak positive effect. Therefore, nopal cactus extract can be beneficious for health and metabolism, but its applicability as an anti-obesity nutraceutical drug requires further basic and clinical studies. It is not to be excluded that an increase of the extract dose and its thermal processing could be helpful for an increase of its bioavailability and clinical efficiency. • Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (prickly pear, nopal cactus) extract can be beneficious for health and metabolism. • It can be principally applicable for inhibition of fat generation and oxidation and, therefore, of obesity in animals and humans. • Its applicability as an anti-obesity nutraceutical drug requires further basic and clinical studies.

Structuration of biosorbents in the form of reinforced gelled and porous composites based on Opuntia ficus indica (cactus) extract and sodium alginate

The main objective of the proposed work was to optimize an adsorbent gel from biological material with the substitution of PVA by biopolymer extracted from cactus while maintaining the mechanical and sorption properties. The porous composite was based on cactus extract (CE) and sodium alginate (SA) and the mechanical properties and adsorption capacities of these beads were then compared with those modified using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and calcium carbonate (CC), respectively.Twenty formulations, based on CE, SA, PVA and CC, have made it possible to prepare, in accordance with an experimental design conducted in Mode 6, four major classes of beads. The three responses used to assess the evolution in bead performance were: the breaking point of the beads, bead rigidity based on a rheological study and the adsorption capacity of pentachlorophenol (PCP). The analysis of these responses showed that CE exerted a positive effect on both the mechanical strength (400–2200 Pa) and rigidity (5%–11%) of the beads, similar to that of PVA with the conservation of bead adsorption capacity (80–120 mg g−1of dry matter).The beads, based on CE and SA, revealed their regular shape with a porous structure and good chemical and physical stability. The FTIR spectral analysis suggested that the interactions between SA and CE take place via hydrogen interactions and/or covalent bonds between the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups.

Ultrafiltration of Opuntia ficus‐indica mucilage obtained by solvent‐free mechanical extraction

The ultrafiltration (UF) of cactus juices has been carried out for the purpose of clarification from an enzymatically pre-treated fruit. Concentration of mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica) by cross-flow ultrafiltration, obtained by solvent-free mechanical extraction, using 1, 10, and 30 kDa membranes has been carried out. The ηE was 39.49% and the energy consumption was 247 times less than the evaporation one. The 1 kDa concentrated mucilage had the highest ηUF and total soluble solids although the fastest process was with the 30 kDa membrane which also extends its shelf life up to 60 days at 4°C, preserving its viscous and viscoelastic properties and high contents of galacturonic acid, features desired to be applied as a dispersing agent. Chromatographic analysis shown that the passage of the monosaccharides during the ultrafiltration was in function of their position in the structure of mucilage molecule. Sugars such as galacturonic acid and galactose were conserved after filtration; however, decreased the concentration of sugars that make up the side chains (rhamnose, glucose, arabinose, and xylose) of the mucilage molecule. Practical applications Mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a complex carbohydrate that is attractive to the food industry due to its excellent functional properties. Various authors have used vacuum evaporation or and membranes to clarify and concentrate mucilage but an enzymatic pre-treatment is carried out due to the gelling properties of the polysaccharide. In this work cactus extract obtained by the solvent-free mechanical process was concentrated with UF membranes without enzymatic treatment. UF process allowed to concentrate mucilage with good yield efficiency, low energy consumption and increases the shelf life of liquid form up to 60 days, preserving almost free of microorganisms as well as its viscous and viscoelastic properties and high contents of galacturonic acid, features which allows its application as stabilizer and thickener of nutritional supplements and preparation of functional drinks of nutritional value. The results obtained in this work might be extended to other cactus extracts that had wider industrial applicability.

Preparation and Properties of Soybean Protein/Compound Carboxylic Acid Modified Cotton Fabric

For exploiting the ecological multifunctional cotton fabric, the citric acid, maleic acid and soybean protein were used to treat the cotton fabric so that the chemical bonding between soybean protein and cotton fabric was formed through the bridging function of multicarboxylic acids. Effects of treating conditions on the weight gain of cotton fabric were analyzed and the optimized process parameters were also obtained. The characterization of infrared spectra showed that the esterification crosslinking occurred between multicarboxylic acids and macromolecules of cotton fiber according to ring-anhydride mechanism, while the soybean protein was combined on cotton fabric with the amido bond by the bridging function of multicarboxylic acids. The breaking strength of soybean protein modified cotton fabric slightly decreased, whereas the anti-ultraviolet property of modified cotton fabric after cactus extract treatment improved remarkably.

Synthesize of green silver nanoparticles by one pot microwave-assisted technique: Modeling and optimization

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) is recently increased due to their many applications in many different sectors. The majority of the methods used to manufacture of nanoparticles is mostly harmful to the environment and have high costs. The aim of the current work is to step forward in production silver NPs in a way with less cost and harm to environment using the green biosynthesis route. The Silver NPS colloidal suspension is produced based on the reaction of the metal precursor AgNO3 and a Cactus extract using Microwave instead of thermal heating. Optimization and modeling of NPs synthesis at lab scale is carried out throughout 10 experiments designed using software for experimental design and treating the responses statistically. The effect of concentration the metal precursor and power of microwave on the formation time of the NPs is investigated using Response Surface Methodology. The statistical results showed that the microwave power is more significant than the metal ions concentration, and the Ag NPs formation time decreased with increasing the microwave power and metal ions concentration. The optimum value for NPs formation time estimated is 10.27 minute. This formation time could be achieved using microwave power of 129.05 Watt and 1.8 ml of AgNO3 solution. The equilibrium adsorption data of methylene blue dye on the synthesized silver NPs were mathematically modeled by employing the pseudo-first-order kinetics equation and the photo-catalytic performance was inspected throughout the degradation of methylene blue under irradiation by sunlight. The dye was effectively nearly 99% degraded by the green synthesized silver nanoparticles after 72 hours of exposure to sunlight.

Structural and optical properties of green synthesized Cr2O3 nanoparticles

Cr2O3 Nanopowders were synthesized via green chemistry using cactus (Opuntia Ficus Indica) plant extract. XRD revealed the formation of Eskolite pure Cr2O3 structure with an average crystal size of 28 nm. SEM showed well-defined and hexagonal nanoparticles with size ranging from 45 to 55 nm, range. EDS analysis confirmed the strong presence of Cr and O in the crystalline structure. FTIR confirmed the chemical composition and chemical state of the Cr2O3. The UV–Vis –NIR diffuse reflectance measurement shows strong absorption of incident light in the UV–Vis_NIR region with a bandgap 2.06 eV. Through these findings, the use of natural Cactus extracts is hereby shown to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for preparing Cr2O3 nanopowder that can be used in a variety of applications.

Biosynthesis of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles from cactus plant extract

P-type NiO powders with an average crystallite size of 16 nm as shown by x-ray diffraction analysis were produced via biosynthesis using cactus plant extract. SEM showed that the NiO powders consisted of particles with sizes in the 20–35 nm range. XPS confirmed the chemical composition and chemical state of the NiO. From Raman spectroscopy, strong 1 phonon vibrations at ∼548.4 cm−1 and the existence strongest band at ∼1730 cm−1 to a two-magnon (2 M) scattering of bulk NiO associated with Ni2+-O2−-Ni2+ super-exchange symmetry confirmed that biosynthesized NiO powders were defect-rich in surface effects. Through these findings the use of natural Cactus extracts is hereby shown to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for preparing Nickel oxide nanosized powders that can be of use in a variety of energy storage applications.

Cactus and lupin extracts as prospective anticancer agents compared with utoral drug.

The ethanolic extracts of many plants have been used in alternative medicine. The present study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anticancer potential of cactus and lupin ethanolic extracts compared to utoral drug (UT) on the colon Caco-2 cancer cell line. Bioactive components, cytotoxicity of Caco-2 cell cycle, and gene regulation of apoptosis genes were studied by HPLC, flow cytometer, and RT-PCR, respectively. Lupin extract (LE) contained high bioactive components and antioxidant potential. The predominant phenol, flavonoid, and sterol in LE were rosmarinic acid (2,004.8μg/ml), quercetin (9,912µg/g), and ergosterol (2.77µg/g). LE and its mixture with utoral showed high cytotoxicity and effective potential in regulation of gene expression of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic genes in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, LE and cactus extract (CE) could be considered as natural preparations with high anticancer properties against Caco-2 cells. LE had the highest anticancer potential among the tested preparations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study demonstrated that lupine and cactus extracts have high potential as anticancer substances. These natural extracts can be used to prepare therapeutic mixtures or foods.

Interaction of a viscous biopolymer from cactus extract with cement paste to produce sustainable concrete

The development of sustainable building materials is essential in view of meting worldwide requirements of the green and sustainable economy; this aspect is crucial in cement concrete, in which commercial demand is increasing day by day. Superior quality concretes can be produced by using natural additives, such as biopolymers, being them harmfully respect to the environment. In this investigation, bio-additives prepared from cactus extract with varying concentrations was mixed into cement concrete mixtures for the manufacturing of sustainable concretes. The modified concretes were evaluated for their fresh and hardened state properties. The interaction of cactus extract with cement particles during hydration reactions was also examined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); the microstructural properties of the modified cement concrete was also studied through X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). As a result, FT-IR evidenced that the additives containing polysaccharides enhanced the water retention of the concrete, preventing the early drying of the concrete mix and thereby reducing shrinkage cracks. Cactus extract enhances the viscosity property of the concrete mix and thereby improves the workability of the concrete mix. The results of the investigation also evidenced that modified concretes exhibit enhanced mechanical properties and durability characteristics. In particular, polysaccharides influence the strength characteristics of the additive modified concrete while proteins and fats have an impact on the workability and durability of modified concrete. Hence, the tested bio-additive could be considered as an eco-friendly, cheaper natural additive that could develop sustainable cement composites with upgraded workability, mechanical and durability characteristics.

Electrochemical study of Nickel Oxide (NiO) nanoparticles from cactus plant extract

ABSTRACTP-type NiO powders with an average crystallite size of 16 nm as shown by x-ray diffraction analysis were produced via biosynthesis using cactus plant extract. SEM showed that the NiO powders consisted of particles with sizes in the 20-35 nm range. A cyclic voltammetric study of the NiO nanopowders showed a quasi-reversible redox processes with the NiO powder showing potential for pseudo capacitance. Through these findings the use of natural Cactus extracts is hereby shown to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for preparing Nickel oxide nanosized powders that can be of use in a variety of energy storage applications.

Strength Properties of Nano Silica Recycled Sustainable Concrete

This experiment highlights the salient features of concrete under nanotechnology. Concrete production requires huge amount of cement and aggregates which eventually increases carbon emission and contaminates environment. Hence, incorporation of ‘F’ class fly ash which is partially replaced for cement, recycled aggregate and cactus gel can be done which can reduce dumping issues, carbon emission and cost. However, incorporation of fly ash in ordinary Portland cement deviates its strength consequently. Hence, Nano-silica can be added as an additive to fill up the deviation, thereby increasing its workability and improving the strengthening factor of concrete. In this paper mineral admixture such as Nano-silica were used to increase the strength of concrete and natural polymer substances such as cactus jelly is used to increase the workability of concrete. For the binding material cement were replaced with the fly-ash at the percentage of 60% respectively and for the coarse aggregate quarry aggregate has been replaced with recycled aggregate with the proportion of 40% and 60% respectively. In the investigation three specimens were casted say conventional, replacement of 60% and replacement of 60% with Nano silica and cactus extract solution. The result of compressive and flexural strength were compared. The aim of this experiment is to maintain the economy and environmental effect.

Antioxidants and cactus extract enhances the sun protection factor of octocrylene and oxybenzone solution

Ultraviolet (UV) filters such as octocrylene and oxybenzone in topical photoprotection products work effectively in absorbing UV radiation, thus minimizing sun damage to the skin. Antioxidants are incorporated into sunscreen products to enhance the photoprotection ability of the products. However, the effectiveness of the antioxidants on the sun protection factor (SPF) of UV filters is not well established. Hence in this study, the effect of caffeine, nicotinamide, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and cactus extract on the SPF of octocrylene and oxybenzone were investigated. The UV absorbance of octocrylene (5 µg/mL) and oxybenzone (20 µg/mL) in 95% ethanol, with different concentrations of the antioxidants (0.1–100 µg/mL) and cactus extract were measured from 290-320nm. The UV absorbance values were converted to SPF values by the Mansur equation. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA test and Post Hoc test (Dundett T3 test) with a significance level of p<0.05 using SPSS software. The antioxidants and cactus extract were found to significantly increase the SPF of octocrylene and oxybenzone solutions in a concentration-dependent manner. Out of the antioxidants tested, β-carotene and α-tocopherol were the most effective antioxidants to increase the SPF of octocrylene solution and oxybenzone solutions, respectively. The results supported that it is beneficial to incorporate antioxidants and cactus extract into the formulation of topical photoprotection products.

Survival of Lymphoma-Bearing Mice by Pachycereus marginatus Cactus Extracts and Elucidation of Bioactive Compounds

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and commonly becomes resistant to chemotherapy, therefore, it is important to search for and evaluate novel sources of nontoxic antitumor agents. The cactus Pachycereus marginatus is native to Mexico and is traditionally recommended to treat gastrointestinal infections. Tumor-bearing mice survival, liver function, and histopathology by P. marginatus extracts and the in vitro effects of isolated compounds lophenol, β-sitosterol, and palmitic acid were investigated, using the L5178Y-R lymphoma murine model. In vivo oral administration of the aqueous partition at 0.5 mg/kg caused 60% survival at 60 days, without altering liver parenchyma and enzymes, as compared with 40% survival induced by vincristine (0.05 mg/kg), and no survival of tumor-bearing mice without treatment. Furthermore, P. marginatus n-hexane extract, lophenol, β-sitosterol, and palmitic acid compounds caused up to 89%, 73%, and 83% in vitro cytotoxicity to L5178Y-R cells, respectively. These results may support the evaluation of P. marginatus extracts and bioactive compounds in clinical studies.

Cytoprotective effect of Cactus cladode (Opuntia ficus-indica) against chlorpyrifos induced reactive oxygen species in rat hepatocytes: Involvement of heat shock protein 70 and CYP1A1/2 proteins

Background: Organophosphorus insecticides are well known to induce hepatotoxicity. One among this is chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is an insecticide inducing various toxicities including in liver. Objective: This investigation focused on CPF-induced oxidative damage in rat hepatocytes primary culture and the protective effect of Cactus cladode aqueous extract. Materials and Methods: Hepatocytes were treated with CPF (50, 75, and 150 μM) and cactus aqueous extract. On treatment for 48 h, mortality within these cells was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by H2DCFDA test. Furthermore, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and CYP1A1/2 levels were determined using western blot analysis. Annexin V and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole analysis was run to determine the level of cell death and cytoprotection exerted by CPF and extracts, respectively. Results: The results showed that CPF increases the levels of H2O2 and HSP70 and induces CYP1A1/2 and mortality within these cells. In the other side of this study, the co-treatment of these cells with CPF and Cactus cladode aqueous extract showed a recovery of these parameters. It also has been found that the Cactus cladode aqueous extract has the potential to do cytoprotective effect by preventing necrosis induced by CPF. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that the toxicity exerted by CPF in hepatocytes are involved with the generation of ROS and the regulation of well-controlled programmed cell death, which could be well protected by the Cactus cladode extract pretreatment.

Response to Comment on “Dye-sensitized solar cells using Aloe Vera and Cladode of Cactus extracts as natural sensitizers”

The purpose of this response is to point out several inconsistencies and incomplete information provided in the comment on our Letter, concerning the minor calculation error in the efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells. The comment was written to cover Dr. Ehrmann groups failed attempt in fabricating solar cells with ultra-low efficiency and unnecessarily targeted only selected groups like us and other authors listed in her references. We have decided to respond since the comment was not peer-reviewed by experts in the area and published as-it-is as we felt we should provide proper justification along with the supporting evidence.

Comment on ‘Dye-sensitized solar cells using Aloe Vera and Cladode of Cactus extracts as natural sensitizers’ [Chem. Phys. Lett. 679 (2017) 97–101

The purpose of this Comment is to point out an inconsistency in the above mentioned Letter, concerning the calculation of the efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells under investigation, to avoid irritations of other researchers working with similar material under similar measurement conditions and of reviewers evaluating their manuscripts.

Antiviral activity of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) extract: Opuntin B, a second antiviral protein

We previously showed that aqueous extract of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladode has significant antiviral activity against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV: family Bromoviridae). Antiviral activity of the extract was retained for a period of 9 days on treated faba bean leaves. This activity was considerably decreased at concentrations lower than 30 mg mL−1, and by washing the treated leaves of faba bean plants 2 h after application of cactus extract, and was ineffective when applied 24 h after virus inoculation. No inhibitory effect was found against agro-inoculated strain of Beet curly top virus (BCTV: family Geminiviridae) on faba bean plants. Prickly pear extract reduced the efficiency of CMV transmission by Aphis gossypii on treated cucumber seedlings. An antiviral protein designated Opuntin B was isolated from the extract by heat treatment and differential centrifugation, and bulk protein precipitation by ammonium sulfate followed by cation and anion exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis in the presence of 2-ME revealed that Opuntin B is made of four protein components, in the molecular weight (Mr) range of 29–32 kDa, while in the absence of 2-ME, only two bands in the range of 26–28 kDa were visible. Native PAGE of the protein also showed 2 bands. Purified Opuntin B completely inhibited CMV on faba bean and zucchini plants at concentration of 40 μg mL−1 and had an IC50 of 0.75 μg mL−1 for inhibition of the virus on faba bean leaves. The isolated antiviral protein exhibited inhibitory activity against Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV: family Potyviridae) Squash mosaic virus (SqMV: family Secouviridae) and Tobacco mosaic virus, (TMV: family Virgaviridae), as well.

Preventive effect of ethanolic extract of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes on methotrexate-induced oxidative damage of the small intestine in Wistar rats.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic element for various inflammatory diseases. The cytotoxic effect of MTX is also seen in normal tissues having a high proliferation rate including gastrointestinal and bone marrow. The aim of this study was to find out whether oxidative damage could be relevant for MTX-induced toxicity in vivo using Wistar rats and to investigate the preventive potential of cactus cladodes. Adult and healthy male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were pretreated by ethanol fraction of cactus cladodes. Following a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg), either vehicle (saline) or ethanolic (400 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally. All animals were killed 24 h after the intraperitoneal injection of MTX. Small intestine samples were collected for malondialdehyde (MDA) level, protein carbonyl generation, and peroxidase and catalase (CAT) activity measurement. The small intestine was also collected for histopathology analysis. Each experiment was conducted in triplicate separately. Values were presented as a mean ± standard deviation. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. Our results showed that MTX-induced significant alterations in oxidative stress markers noticed in the form of intestinal tissues damage, MDA level increased and protein carbonyls generation. CAT and peroxidase activities decreased with MTX administration. The combined treatment of MTX with cactus extracts showed a reduction of MTX-induced oxidative damage. It could be concluded that cactus cladodes extract was effective in protecting the small intestine against MTX-induced damage.

Ca(OH)2 sustained release from a cactus extract vehicle

Ca(OH)2 sustained release from a cactus extract vehicle

Dye-sensitized solar cells using Aloe Vera and Cladode of Cactus extracts as natural sensitizers

The purpose of this study is to develop dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) from natural plant-based dyes, extracted from the Cladode (nopal) of the Thornless Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica), the gel of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller), and the combination of Cladode and Aloe Vera extracts on side-by-side configuration. Optical properties were analyzed using UV–Vis Absorption and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Open circuit voltages (Voc) varied from 0.440 to 0.676V, fill factors (FF) were greater than 40%, short-circuit photocurrent densities (Jsc) ranged from 0.112 to 0.290mA/cm2 and highest conversion efficiency of 0.740% was reported for the Cladode DSSC.