Prickly Pear: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Nopal, Prickly pear cactus
Scientific name(s)
Opuntia ficus indica
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Indicaxanthin
Polyphenols
Alkaloids
Vitamin C
Pectin
Carotenoids
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Type 2 Diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research indicates that prickly pear might help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. A specific study on diabetic adults found that including prickly pear in breakfast can lower postprandial blood sugar. However, the long-term impact of prickly pear on blood sugar levels and HbA1c remains to be clarified.
Posologie
Oral: fruit, cladodes
500 mg
powder, concentrated juice, aqueous extract, pulp, ethanolic extract
Opuntia spp.: Characterization and Benefits in Chronic Diseases
Acute blood glucose lowering effects and long-term safety of OpunDia supplementation in pre-diabetic males and females.
Antidiabetic Effect of Fresh Nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) in Low-Dose Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.
An Overview of Herbal Products and Secondary Metabolites Used for Management of Type Two Diabetes.
Comparative evaluation of two different Opuntia ficus-indica extracts for blood sugar lowering effects in rats.
Functional and hypoglycemic properties of nopal cladodes (O. ficus-indica) at different maturity stages using in vitro and in vivo tests.
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research suggests that when used in combination with a diet, daily intake of 250 g of edible prickly pear pulp can reduce total cholesterol by 12%, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 15%, and triglycerides by 12% in patients with primary isolated hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia; however, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels do not seem to be affected.
Posologie
Oral use: fruit, cladodes
250 g
powder, concentrated juice, aqueous extract, pulp, ethanolic extract
Metabolic Syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Another small study conducted on adults with 1 to 2 risk factors for metabolic syndrome shows that the consumption of 500 mg of durum wheat pasta containing 3% prickly pear cactus extract, each week for 1 month, modestly reduces waist circumference, blood glucose, and triglycerides, but not other lipid parameters nor weight, compared to baseline. The validity of these results is limited by the absence of a control group.
Posologie
Oral use: fruit, cladodes
500 mg
powder, concentrated juice, aqueous extract, pulp, ethanolic extract
The Effect of NeOpuntia on Blood Lipid Parameters--Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X)
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
Cognitive Performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved proteins that have been shown to protect organisms against physical and physiological stress. Patented extracts of Opuntia ficus indica fruit TEX-OE™ have demonstrated the acceleration of HSP development in several animal species. In humans, these extracts have shown potential on the cognitive system after alcohol consumption. No study to date confirms these properties for stress resistance in humans. A recent study examined the efficacy of an ethanolic extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten stems for improving cognitive function in elderly subjects. It was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 81 participants. After 12 weeks of administration, a significant improvement in cognitive function was observed in participants under the age of 70.
Posologie
Oral use: pericarp, fruit, cladodes
200 - 400 mg
standardized extract, ethanolic extract
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
Cognitive effects of acute alcohol consumption are reduced by TEX-OE pre-conditioning
Weight Control ✪✪✪✪✪
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, LITRAMINE®, a complex of natural fibers derived from O. Ficus-indica, was combined with a low-calorie diet and moderate physical activity (30 minutes of walking or cycling), in a 12-week treatment on a panel of 125 overweight and obese volunteers. The study showed a weight loss of at least 5% of the volunteers' initial body weight compared to placebo, with a significantly important reduction in BMI (body mass index), body fat composition, and waist circumference. In another recent study on ancestral Mexican foods and their utility for cardiovascular issues in obese individuals, the effects of nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) were specifically examined. Nopal consumption ranged from 6.2 g to 300 g per day. Participants consumed 2 cups (280 g) of nopal daily. Regular consumption of nopal led to a significant reduction in weight, body mass index (BMI), as well as waist and hip circumferences.
Posologie
Oral use: fruit, cladodes
280 g
12 - weeks
concentrated juice, pulp
Skin Health ✪✪✪✪✪
The study is a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the beneficial effects of Opuntia humifusa (variety known as Indian Fig), also known as Cheonnyuncho in Korea, on human health focusing on its antioxidant properties. The results indicate that Opuntia humifusa effectively improves collagen synthesis. The authors conclude that extracts from this variety of prickly pear, as antioxidants, are promising for treating skin aging. Traditionally, prickly pear is used for burns. Seed oil is moisturizing and also indicated for combating wrinkles.
Posologie
By cutaneous route: fruit, seed
aqueous extract, oil
Digestion Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In a clinical study, 100 individuals suffering from digestive disorders were recruited to measure the efficacy of a combined extract of prickly pear and olive (Mucosave). They were divided into two groups: 60 receiving the treatment and 40 a placebo. The treatment was administered daily for 8 weeks. The results revealed a significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms in participants receiving the Mucosave extract. Notably, they experienced a reduction in abdominal pain, sensation of fullness, flatulence, and reflux. These findings suggest that this synergy could be an effective and well-tolerated means to improve gastrointestinal comfort. These results are consistent with the traditional use of prickly pear in North Africa, where it is often used for digestive disorders with diarrhea.
Posologie
Oral use: cladodes
400 mg
powder, concentrated juice, ethanolic extract
Synergies
Properties
Antioxidant
In a comparative study against vitamin C (a standard against which antioxidants are tested), the prickly pear (250 g of pulp) was able to beneficially affect various oxidation markers, unlike vitamin C alone. A more recent study examined the effect of consuming prickly pear juice (Opuntia ficus-indica, OFI) on redox balance and heart rate variability parameters after maximal exercise testing in physically active women. Eight women participated in a double-blind crossover study, consuming prickly pear juice or a placebo several days before and after a maximal exercise test. The results showed a significant decrease in oxidative stress and improvement in autonomic balance in participants who consumed prickly pear juice. Autonomic balance is the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It controls many involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, stress response, and relaxation. Good autonomic balance is essential for an appropriate response to stress or relaxation situations. An imbalance can lead to various health problems, including cardiovascular disorders, sleep disturbances, and other stress-related conditions.
Usages associés
Redox and autonomic responses to acute exercise-post recovery following Opuntia ficus-indica juice intake in physically active women
Preventive effect of ethanolic extract of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes on methotrexate-induced oxidative damage of the small intestine in Wistar rats
Hypoglycemic
The prickly pear, at a dose of 500 g of fruit, seems to be able to reduce blood glucose levels after a meal. The compounds responsible for this benefit do not seem to be affected by different preparation methods and appear stable at heat up to 60 °C. It is thought that Prickly Pear may also increase insulin sensitivity. A recent meta-analysis showed that compared with the model group, prickly pear polysaccharides significantly improve blood glucose levels, body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL cholesterol.
Usages associés
Protective effects and mechanisms of opuntia polysaccharide in animal models of diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Hypolipidemic
Rich in fiber, the prickly pear is said to lead fats into the stool, thereby reducing their absorption. Indeed, the mucilage obtained from prickly pear reduced triglyceride levels in rats according to a study. A recent meta-analysis showed that, compared to the model group, prickly pear polysaccharides significantly improve blood glucose levels, body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL and LDL cholesterol.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Research has examined how cladode extracts and isorhamnetin glycosides from O. ficus-indica (var. Jalpa) affect human colon cancer cells. These compounds were more toxic to certain cancer cells compared to others or to normal cells, and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) via the caspase cascade. Another study revealed that an aqueous extract of O. ficus-indica fruit and indicaxanthin, a pigment it contains, had an effect on colon cancer cells, notably by modifying the expression of a tumor suppressor gene. Finally, studies have shown that cladode extracts can reduce oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by certain mycotoxins.
Anti-inflammatory
Researchers studied the anti-inflammatory effects of Nopal on human intestinal epithelial cancer cells stimulated by IL-1β alongside indicaxanthin, a pigment derived from Nopal fruit. This co-administration prevents the activation of NOX-1 and NF-kB and decreases the increase in inducible NO synthase. The pigment can thus directly influence intestinal inflammatory mechanisms.
Usages associés
Neurological
In vitro studies have shown the ability of the fruit to inhibit neuron damage induced by free radicals. Reports have also revealed that taking O. ficus-indica var. saboten for 7 days increases the levels of several important proteins in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. These proteins include BDNF, which is essential for nerve cell health, as well as pCREB and pERK 1/2, which are involved in cellular signaling. These results suggest that the regular intake of O. ficus-indica var. saboten could improve long-term memory. This improvement seems due to the activation of certain proteins and signaling pathways in the brain, namely ERK, CREB, and BDNF. These components play a crucial role in the growth and survival of neurons, especially in brain regions involved in memory.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 200 mg (standardized extract)
No typical dosage documented, but extracts in the form of powder, dry extract, concentrated juice or decoction, or ethanolic extracts have been used.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidiabetic: weak interaction
Case studies show that combining prickly pear with antidiabetic medications: chlorpropamide, glyburide, glipizide, metformin, or a combination of these medications, can lead to an additive reduction in blood glucose and hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is advisable to closely monitor their glucose levels. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
Precautions
Pregnant woman: avoid
Due to a lack of reliable information, avoid use.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Due to a lack of reliable information, avoid use.
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Prickly pear can reduce blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is advisable to seek medical advice.
