Opuntia genus in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 1

Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Jacqueline Portillo-Reyes, Eduardo Madrigal-Bujaidar, Manuel Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Paola E. Mercado-Gonzalez, Jeannett A. Izquierdo-Vega, Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Isela Álvarez-González, Tomás Fregoso-Aguilar, Luis Delgado-Olivares, Ángel Morales-González, Liliana Anguiano-Robledo, José A. Morales-González

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Opuntia spp. is a diverse and widely distributed genus in Africa, Asia, Australia, and America. Mexico has the largest number of wild species; mainly O. streptacantha, O. hyptiacantha, O. albicarpa, O. megacantha and O. ficus-indica. The latter being the most cultivated and domesticated species. Throughout history, plants and their phytochemicals have played an important role in health care and Opuntia spp. has shown a high nutritional, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and economic impacts. Its main bioactive compounds include pigments (carotenoids, betalains and betacyanins), vitamins, flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and phenolic compounds. Together, they favor the different plant parts and are considered phytochemically important and associated with control, progression and prevention of some chronic and infectious diseases. This first review (Part 1), compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on its preventive effects against atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, hepatoprotection, effects on human infertility and chemopreventive and/or antigenotoxic capacity. The aim is to provide scientific evidences of its beneficial properties and to encourage health professionals and researchers to expand studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Opuntia spp.

Original languageEnglish
Article number88
JournalHorticulturae
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • Antioxidant capacity
  • Biological activities
  • Chemopreventive effect
  • Opuntia spp
  • Phytochemicals

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Opuntia genus in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this