Disease relevance of Opuntia

• To assess the hypoglycemic effect of the nopal Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire (O. streptacantha Lem.), three groups of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were studied [1].
• We previously demonstrated that Opuntia megacantha leaves' extracts can reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus [2].
• Although the mechanism of action is unknown, the magnitude of the glucose control by the small amount of Opuntia extract required (1 mg/kg body weight per day) preclude a predominant role for dietary fiber [3].

High impact information on Opuntia

• Supplementation with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit decreases oxidative stress in healthy humans: a comparative study with vitamin C [4].
• Acute hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM [5].
• Neuroprotective effects of antioxidative flavonoids, quercetin, (+)-dihydroquercetin and quercetin 3-methyl ether, isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten [6].
• The flavonoids quercetin, (+)-dihydroquercetin, and quercetin 3-methyl ether were isolated from the ethyl acetate fractions of the fruits and stems of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten [6].
• The sterol composition of the Patagonian tunicate Polizoa opuntia was examined, and twenty-four compounds were identified as having either a delta 5, delta 7, or delta 0 nucleus [7].

Biological context of Opuntia

• The rates and extents of hydrolysis of alpha(S)- and beta-caseins from bovine, caprine, and ovine sodium caseinates produced by an enzymatic extract of the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica, (L.) Miller were evaluated and compared with those produced by a commercial animal rennet [8].
• The heavy stocking rate resulted in a plant community that was dominated (75% of biomass production) by the C4 grass blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), whereas excluding livestock grazing increased the production of C3 grasses and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia polycantha) [9].

Associations of Opuntia with chemical compounds

• Antioxidant property of an ethanol extract of the stem of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten [10].
• Caseinolytic activity of fruit extract from Opuntia ficus-indica on bovine, caprine, and ovine sodium caseinates [8].
• BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Drought damages cultivated C3, C4 and CAM plants in the semi-arid lands of central Mexico. Drought damage to Opuntia is common when mother cladodes, planted during the dry spring season, develop young daughter cladodes that behave like C3 plants, with daytime stomatal opening and water loss [11].
• Constituents with radical scavenging effect from Opuntia dillenii: structures of new alpha-pyrones and flavonol glycoside [12].
• Thiabendazole uptake and storage performance of cactus pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Cv Gialla] fruit following postharvest treatments with reduced doses of fungicide at 52 degrees C [13].

Gene context of Opuntia

• Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors from the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten [14].
• Color, betalain pattern, and antioxidant properties of cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) clones [15].
• Antioxidant betalains from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial ICAM-1 expression [16].
• After removal of the mucilage with water at room temperature, pectic polysaccharides were solubilized from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit skin, by sequential extraction with water at 60 degrees C (WSP) and EDTA solution at 60 degrees C (CSP) [17].
• The butanol fraction of Opuntia ficus-indica (300 microg/ml) significantly reduced NMDA (20 microM)-induced delayed neurotoxicity by 27% [18].

References