Cactus: Chemical, nutraceutical composition and potential bio‐pharmacological properties

Abstract

Cactus species are plants that grow in the arid and semiarid regions of the world. They have long fascinated the attention of the scientific community due to their unusual biology. Cactus species are used for a variety of purposes, such as food, fodder, ornamental, and as medicinal plants. In the last regard, they have been used in traditional medicine for eras by the ancient people to cure several diseases. Recent scientific investigations suggest that cactus materials may be used as a source of naturally-occurring products, such as mucilage, fiber, pigments, and antioxidants. For this reason, numerous species under this family are becoming endangered and extinct. This review provides an overview of the habitat, classification, phytochemistry, chemical constituents, extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds, nutritional and pharmacological potential with pre-clinical and clinical studies of different Cactus species. Furthermore, conservation strategies for the ornamental and endangered species have also been discussed.

Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization of Dried Powder Mucilage from Opuntia ficus-indica Cladodes and Aloe Vera Leaves: A Comparative Study

“…Among the most representative members of these families are the nopal cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill) and the aloe vera plant ( Aloe barbadensis Miller), the mucilages of which are widely renowned because of their varied nutritional, cosmetic, and medicinal properties. Mucilage obtained from O. ficus-indica (OFI mucilage) has been reported to be able to lower cholesterol levels [ 10 , 11 ] and exhibit hypoglycemic effects [ 12 ] as well as antiulcer [ 13 ], hepatoprotective, antigenotoxic, and cardioprotective pharmacological effects [ 14 ]. OFI mucilage is also considered a potent antioxidant due to its carbohydrate and polyphenol content [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Hydroalcoholic extract of pitaya (Hylocereus guatemalensis) supplied in the diet for blue Betta splendens and its effects on fish pigmentation

“…The increased antioxidant activity of the diets with added HEPB is linked to the presence of actives in the pitaya bark (Das et al, 2021). An interesting characteristic of pitaya is the presence of betalain (Harivaindaran et al, 2008) and betacyanins (Wong and Siow, 2015), which both present high antioxidant activities.…”

“…An interesting characteristic of pitaya is the presence of betalain (Harivaindaran et al, 2008) and betacyanins (Wong and Siow, 2015), which both present high antioxidant activities. These pigments are soluble in water, which represents an attractive characteristic for potential uses such as in food coloring, antioxidants, and/or pharmacological applications (Das et al, 2021).…”

Biodiversity, Culture and Bioeconomy in Latin America

“…The metabolites obtained from Lophophora williamsii, like those of many other cacti, constitute a potential still little exploited in the pharmaceutical industry (Das et al, 2020), and have not aroused business desires similar to those of ayahuasca, possibly due to the results of the legal conflict surrounding the latter.…”