Beneficial Effects of Opuntia spp. on Liver Health

Abstract

The genus Opuntia spp. includes plants capable of growing in arid, temperate and tropical climates. The vast majority of wild species grow in Mexico, but O. ficus-indica (prickly pear or nopal) is cultivated around the world and it is one of the most studied. This review shows the currently available knowledge concerning the action of O. ficus-indica and other Opuntia species (Opuntia vulgaris, Opuntia robusta, Opuntia streptacantha, Opuntia microdasys, Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia dejecta) on liver health. The available data demonstrate the positive effects of extracts, vinegar, juices or seed oil of the Opuntia genus on the alterations induced in the liver by inadequate feeding patterns or the administration of chemicals. In this regard, the potential beneficial effects of nopal are related to the attenuation of triglyceride accumulation, oxidative stress and/or inflammation. Nevertheless, there is no information concerning the bioactive compound’s characterisation in most of these studies; consequently, it is not possible to link the therapeutic effects of these plants to the presence of specific compounds in the nopal extracts. Therefore, further research is needed to confirm if the positive effects observed in animal models are also found in humans, in order to determine whether Opuntia can represent an effective tool to prevent and/or manage hepatic alterations.

Exploring the Potential Hepatoprotective Properties of Cactus (Cactaceae) in Liver Health and Disease Management: A Brief Review

“…The liver is an organ that plays a fundamental role in homeostasis and in maintaining various vital functions, such as fat and carbohydrate metabolism, bile excretion, regulation of the energy supply, and the ability to detoxify the body from endogenous and/or exogenous substances. However, these functions result in greater exposure and susceptibility to liver damage, considering that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the etiopathogenesis of liver diseases [16,17]. In this context, including foods in the diet which can help maintain a healthy liver function is essential.…”

“…Another point to consider is the protection against drug-induced damage [17]. These cacti have effects against damage induced by certain medications, such as paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride, in addition to the consumption of ethanol, which can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [24][25][26].…”

“…Studies have shown the hepatoprotective effect of several types of cacti such as Opuntia spp., Pilosocereus gounellei, and Pereskia grandifolia [12,17,24,50]. This hepatoprotective effect has been attributed to the fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds, such as betalains, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds, that cacti have in their composition [17].…”

Restoring Antioxidant Levels of Nicotine Injected Rats Using Suggested Dietary Formulas

“…transaminases, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were lower in rats treated with Opuntia ficus-indica than in controls. Opuntia's antioxidant activity is of particular importance in the prevention and treatment of fatty liver (Besné-Eseverri et al, 2023).…”

Usefulness of Opuntia spp. on the Management of Obesity and Its Metabolic Co-Morbidities

“…For years, health benefits associated with the Opuntia genus have been documented in folk medicine, and this traditional knowledge remains highly relevant in many indigenous communities to this day [7]. From the scientific point of view, it has been observed that extracts of opuntioid cacti, obtained from fruits, cladodes or flowers, can exert beneficial properties for the prevention and treatment of certain disorders, such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and several types of cancer [3,[8][9][10][11][12].…”