Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Stems for Improving Cognitive Function in Elderly Subjects 55-85 Years of Age: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

An overview and update on the chemical composition and potential health benefits of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), widely recognized as prickly pear, is native to Mexico and it is distributed in many areas of the world because of its socioeconomic, agronomic, and ecological benefits, besides its large amounts of functional, nutraceutical, and biological activities. Various parts of this plant including the fruit pulp and peel, cladode, and seeds are scientifically proven to have therapeutic potentials and are safe for human use. The contents of phytochemical compounds in each part of the OFI are different. Each pharmacological activity depends on the phytochemical compounds, the components used, and the extraction type. In this review, we summarize the active constituents from different parts of OFI and their pharmacological effects including the antioxidant, wound healing, skin protective, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolemic, and anti-obesity activities. Besides its effects on the bone health, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract, its gastroprotective, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic and antimicrobial effects and effects on cognitive and memory function are also mentioned. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Over the past few decades, the health benefits of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) have received much attention. All parts of the plant, including the fruit pulp and peel, cladode, and seeds have found use in the treatment of many diseases. The chemical composition of OFI provides both a high nutritional value and various health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the up-to-date research carried out on OFI phytochemicals, showing the most important biological activities reported.

Pasta Supplemented with Opuntia ficus-indica Extract Improves Metabolic Parameters and Reduces Atherogenic Small Dense Low-Density Lipoproteins in Patients with Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome: A Four-Week Intervention Study

Food supplementation with Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) has been associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol, body fat, hyperglycemia and blood pressure. Since OFI may also have antioxidant and anti-atherogenic properties, we hypothesized that its supplementation might reduce atherogenic lipoproteins, including small, dense low-density lipoproteins (sdLDL). Forty-nine patients (13 men and 36 women, mean age: 56 ± 5 years) with one or two criteria for the metabolic syndrome weekly consumed 500 g of pasta supplemented with 3% OFI extract (30% of insoluble polysaccharides with high antioxidant power) for 1 month. The full LDL subclass profile was assessed by gel electrophoresis (Lipoprint, Quantimetrix, Redondo Beach, CA, USA). After 1 month of pasta supplementation, waist circumference (p = 0.0297), plasma glucose (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.0137), plasma creatinine (p = 0.0244), urea and aspartate transaminase (p < 0.0001 for each) significantly decreased. A percentage increase in larger, less atherogenic LDL-1 (p = 0.0002), with a concomitant reduction in smaller, denser LDL-2 (p < 0.0001) and LDL-3 (p = 0.0004), were found. LDL-4 and-5 decreased, although not significantly. This is the first intervention study suggesting that pasta enriched with an OFI extract may have beneficial effects on some metabolic parameters and the LDL particle sizes, reducing atherogenic sdLDL. Future studies will help to establish if these findings impact cardiovascular outcomes.