Structural characterization of three acidic polysaccharides from Opuntia dillenii Haw.fruits and their protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in Huh-7 cells

Three novel acidic polysaccharide fractions(OFPP-1,OFPP-2,OFPP-3)with different m olecular weights(803.7,555.1 and 414.5 k Da)were isolated from the peeled Opuntia dillenii Haw.fruits by alkali-extraction,graded alcohol precipitation and column chromatography.Structural analysis indicated that OFPPs were pectic polysaccharides consisting of rhamnose,arabinose and galactose residues.The backbone of OFPP-1 consisted of a repeating unit→6-α-D-Galp A-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→with T-α-D-Galp A-(1→6)-α-D-Galp A-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→,T-β-D-Xylp-(1→6)-α-D-Galp A-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→or T-α-D-Galp A-(1→3)-α-L-Araf-(1→as the side chains.The backbone of OFPP-2 consisted of a disaccharide repeating unit→2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→4)-β-D-Galp A-(1→with T-β-L-Araf-(1→as the branches substituted at the O-4 position of→2,4)-α-LRhap-(1→.Whereas the backbone of OFPP-3 was→2,4)-α-L-Rhap-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→3)-β-L-Araf-(1→or→2,4)-α-L-Rhap-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→4)-β-D-Galp A-(1→,which was branched at the O-4 position of→2,4)-α-L-Rhap-(1→.Moreover,these three polysaccharide fractions could protect Huh-7 cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress to different extents by decreasing the MDA content and increasing the SOD,CAT,GSH-Px activities and the GSH level in the Huh-7 cells.These results suggest that OFPPs have the potential to be used as natural antioxidants.

Structural Analysis and Anticoagulant Activity of Polysaccharides from Opuntia milpa alta

[Objective] To analyze the components and structure of Opuntia milpa alta polysaccharides, and to study its anticoagulant activity. [Method] The crude polysaccharides （CP） were prepared from Opuntia milpa alta using hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation method, purified by anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography to study its monosaccharide composition, weight-average molecular weight distribution and main chain structure. And a preliminary study was conducted on the anticoagulant activity of polysaccharide components. [Result] The polysaccharide components WSP1, WSP2a and WSP3 were obtained from CP by the anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. WSP1 was mainly composed of galactose with a weight-average molecular weight of 2.32×106. WSP2a consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, galactose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid, the contents were 6.3%, 32.3%, 12.9%, 1.5%, 4.8%, 37.1%, 0.64% and 4.4%, respectively. WSP3 mainly composed of arabinose, xylose, rhamnose and trace of glucose, mannose, uronic acid. The weight-average molecular weight of WSP2a and WSP3 was 1.24×106 and 7.92×106, respectively. WSP2 prolonged the activated partial thromboplatin time （APTT） and thrombin time （TT）, while had no significant effect on the prothrombin time （PT） in vitro, indicating that anticoagulant activity of WSP2 functions by affecting the intrinsic coagulation system. The test of inhibition to the conversion of fibrinogen into thrombin showed that WSP2a and WSP3 had obvious anticoagulant activity. Methylation analysis indicated that the main chain of WSP2a was constituted of 1, 4-GalA, 1, 2-Rha and 1, 2, 4-Rha. [Conclusion] This study provided experimental basis for the optimization and development of polysaccharide resources from cactus

Two New Phenolic Carboxylic Acid Esters from Opuntia vulgaris

Two new phenolic carboxylic acid esters n-butyl eucomate(1) and methyl eucomate (2) and six known compounds eucomic acid(3), 3-β-acetyl-taraxerol (4), friedelin(5),lupenone(6),methyl linoleate(7) and methyl oleate(8) were isolated from the stems of Opuntia vulgaris Mill(Cactaceae). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral methods. Compounds 3,4,6,7,8 were isolated for the first time from this plant.

仙人掌(Opuntia vulgaris Mill.)中的一个新生物碱

目的 研究仙人掌的化学成分。方法 采用硅胶柱色谱法、离子交换色谱法分离仙人掌化学成分 ,用波谱学方法鉴定结构。结果 自仙人掌中分得 3个化合物 ,分别鉴定为仙人掌素B(I)、羟脯氨酸 (II)、酪氨酸 (III)。

Evaluation of protective effect of cactus pear seed oil(Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.) against alloxan-induced diabetes in mice

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant power of cactus pear seed oil [Opuntia ficusincida L. MILL.(CPSO)] and its protective effect against chemically induced diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant effect of CPSO was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) scavenging assay. The preventive effect was conducted on Swiss albino mice treated with CPSO(2 m L/kg, per os), before and after a single intraperitoneal alloxan administration(100 mg/kg). Survival rate, body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured and histopathological analysis of pancreas was performed to evaluate alloxaninduced tissue injuries. Results: CPSO exhibited an antioxidant effect in DPPH scavenging assay. Moreover, the administration of CPSO(2 m L/kg) significantly attenuated alloxaninduced death and hyperglycemia(P<0.001) in treated mice. Morphometric study of pancreas revealed that CPSO significantly protected islets of langerhans against alloxan induced-tissue alterations. Conclusions: Based on theses results, CPSO can prevent alloxan-induced-diabetes by quenching free radicals produced by alloxan and inhibiting tissue injuries in pancreatic β-cells.

仙人掌(Opuntia.dillenii Haw)维管组织结构研究

利用徒手切片法、解离液解离等方法解剖仙人掌,发现其茎的维管组织是网络圆筒状,进一步通过石蜡切片观察发现,其维管组织属于外韧维管束类型,中柱类型为真中柱,在肉质茎的横切面上,各个维管束相距不等,且在皮层内呈圈排列,每一维管束由韧皮部和木质部组成,在木质部和韧皮部之间具有形成层,且可见到形成层活动后在次生木质部和次生韧皮部留下的呈径向排列的细胞.

Effects of Hanseniaspora opuntiae C21 on the growth and digestive enzyme activity of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicas

The effects of a diet containing Hanseniaspora opuntiae C21 on growth and digestive enzyme activity were estimated in juvenile Apostichopus japonicus. Groups of sea cucumbers were fed diets containing H. opuntiae C21 at 0(control), 10 4, 10 5, and 10 6 CFU(colony-forming units)/g feed. Results showed that after 45 d the specific growth rate(SGR) of sea cucumbers fed a C21-supplemented diet at 10 4 CFU/g feed was significantly higher than that of the control( P < 0.05). Intestinal trypsin and lipase activities were significantly enhanced by C21 administration at 10 4 and 10 5 CFU/g feed compared with the control( P < 0.05). After feeding for 23–42 d, C21 was demonstrated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to be present in the intestine of sea cucumbers. In addition, after feeding the C21-supplemented diets for 15 d, the sea cucumbers were switched to an unsupplemented diet and C21 was confirmed to be capable of colonizing the intestine for at least 31 d after cessation of feeding. In conclusion, C21 was shown to successfully colonize the intestine of juvenile A. japonicus via dietary supplementation, and improve growth and digestive enzyme activity.

The optimization of phenolic compounds extraction from cactus pear(Opuntia ficus-indica) skin in a reflux system using response surface methodology

Objective:To extract,quantify,and evaluate the phenolic content in Opuntia ficus-indica skin for their antioxidant capacity with three different methods(ABTS,DPPH,and lipid oxidation)and to optimize the extraction conditions[time,temperature and ethanol concentration)in a reflux system.Methods:The extraction process was done using a reflux system.A San CristobalⅡexperimental design with three variables and three levels was used.The variables evaluated were time of extraction(h),concentration of ethanol(%,v/v)and temperature(°C).The extraction process was optimized using a response surface methodology.Results:It was observed that at higher temperature more phenolic compounds were extracted,but the antioxidant capacity was decreased.The optimum conditions for phenolic compounds extraction and antioxidant capacity mixing the three methods were as Follows:45%of ethanol,80℃and 2 hours of extraction.Values obtained in our results are little higher that other previously reported.Conclusions:It can he concluded the by-products of Opuntia ficus-indica represent a good source of natural antioxidants with possible applications in food,cosmetics or drugs industries.

Antidiabetic effect of Opuntia dillenii seed oil on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: To assess the antidiabetic effect of Opuntia dillenii seed oil on rats with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A rat diabetes model was established by intraperitoneal injection of rats with 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. Thirty albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups: the diabetic control group and normal control group were treated only with distilled water, two diabetic groups received 1 and 2 m L/kg of oil per day, respectively, for 30 days and one diabetic group received 2 mg/kg of glibenclamide. In addition, blood glucose was determined weekly. Body weight, average daily food, water intake and urinary volume of each animal were determined before and after the treatment period. After the treatment period, hepatic glycogen was determined using the anthrone reagent, and glycosuria, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine and uric acid were estimated using common clinical diagnostic kits. Results: Oral intake of the oil at 1 and 2 m L/kg for the diabetic animals significantly diminished blood glucose, glycosuria, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine and uric acid, accompanied by a noticeable elevation in the amount of hepatic glycogen in comparison with the diabetic control group. Similarly, Opuntia dillenii seed oil significantly increased the food intake and decreased the urinary volume per day in treated rats of the same groups in comparison with the period before the treatment intervention and attenuated body weight loss in the diabetic rats. Moreover, this effect of the oil was dose dependent. On the other hand, the oil did not affect their need for water. Conclusions: The results show that Opuntia dillenii seed oil has a very important antidiabetic effect on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Hence, we suggest it as a preventive control of diabetes mellitus.

Hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia dillenii seed oil on CCl_4 induced acute liver damage in rat

Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia dillenii seed oil(ODSO)on CCl_4 provoked liver injury in rat.Methods:Animals were treated orally with ODSO at a concentration of 2 mL/kg,once daily for one week before the first intraperitoneal injection of CCl_4,and thereafter the administration of the oil was continued for 7 days until the introduction of the second injection of CCl_4.Fourteen hours after the last dose of CCl_4,rats were sacrificed,and the relative liver weight,weight gain,alkaline phosphatase,aspartate amino transferase,alanine aminotransferase,direct bilirubin,total bilirubin,triglycerides,total cholesterol,very low density lipoprotein,low density lipoprotein,high density lipoprotein,plasmatic glucose,urea,creatinine,acid uric and malondialdehyde were determined.Results:The significant increase was found in relative liver weight and plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate amino transferase,alkaline phosphatase,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,triglycerides,very low-density lipoprotein,urea,uric acid and malondialdehyde.Likewise,the significant decrease was indicated in the weight gain and the level of glucose plasmatic,and high-density lipoprotein levels in CCl_4 produced liver injury in rats were re-established to normal levels when treated with ODSO.While,no change was observed in the total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein and creatinine in all animals.Conclusions:We conclude that the ODSO has a protective effect on CCl_4-mediated liver injury.Hence,we suggest its inclusion as a preventive control of liver disorders.

Knowledge Mapping of Opuntia Milpa Alta Since 1998: A Scientometric Analysis

Opuntia Milpa Alta is a cactus cultivated,domesticated,hybridized and selected from the plant Opuntia ficusindica by Mexican agricultural experts,which can be used as fruit and vegetable.Opuntia Milpa Alta leaves and fruit are superior to wild varieties and suitable for storage and transportation.In 1998,Opuntia Milpa Alta was introduced to China from Mexico by the Quality Product Development Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of China.Up to now,the Opuntia Milpa Alta has been cultivated on a certain scale in China.This study aims to identify the research progress and development trends of Opuntia Milpa Alta in China.Papers published between 1998 to 2019 from two major Chinese academic databases(CNKI and Wangfang)with a topic search related to Opuntia Milpa Alta were collected.The research progress and development trends were analyzed based on CiteSpace software of text mining and visualization.The analysis found that Opuntia Milpa Alta has gone through three obvious research phases after being introduced to China.In the first phase,the researchers paid attention to its cultivation method.Subsequently,researchers began to use extraction methods to extract some of its components,such as polysaccharides and flavonoids.Finally,these extracted ingredients began to be used in some biomedical research.

Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract alleviates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in a mouse model

Objective:To investigate the effect of Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract on gastric ulcers.Methods:An ethanol-induced model was used to examine the protective effect of Opuntia humifusa against gastric ulcers.The gastric ulcer index was evaluated via clinical observation and image analysis.Various inflammatory indicators were determined by RTPCR and Western blotting assays.Results:The gastric ulcer index was reduced to 8%in the group treated with Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract compared with that in the control group.RT-PCR analysis revealed that MUC5 AC expression was reduced to 39%in the control group compared with the non-treated group,whereas the omeprazole and Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract-treated groups increased the expression to 95%and 79%,respectively.Moreover,the expressions of various cytokines including TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 were increased in the control group,while decreasing in Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract-treated group.Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract also suppressed the expressions of iN OS,COX-2,and its transcription factor NF-κB and increased mucus content considerably as compared to the control group.Conclusions:These results suggest that Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract is suitable as an alternative remedy for gastric ulcer treatment.

Comparative Physico-Chemical Characterization of the Mucilages of Two Cactus Pears (<i>Opuntia</i>Spp.) Obtained from Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia

Cactus is a plant that naturally grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions of the world. The composition of this mucilage is believed to differ from species to species. Hence, comparative study was carried out on mucilages of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) and Opuntia stricta (OS) as regard to their physico-chemical properties and acute toxicity levels. The study indicated that solubility of the dry mucilages were comparable and increased as raise in temperature. However, at all temperature levels the swelling powers were significantly higher in mucilage of OS than that of OFI. At 100% RH the moisture sorption property of OFI (95.4%) was higher than that of OS (76.9%). The pH values of both mucilages at 12% dispersions were found to be 5.57 and 5.87 for OFI and OS, respectively. The conductivity at the same concentration, 12% (w/v), of OFI was 13.12 mS/cm while that of OS was 9.31 mS/cm. The apparent viscosities at 12% (w/v) were 9,017 mPas and 10,060 mPas for OFI and OS, respectively. The apparent viscosities of the dispersions decreased with increase in shear rates which rendered the dispersions a pseudoplastic flow. The surface tension of the aqueous dispersions of OFI (28.71 mN/M) decreased significantly as compared to that of OS (39.7 mN/M). The results of the study proved that the mucilage of OS was superior to OFI mucilage for use as food and pharmaceutical excipients. Moreover, both mucilages exhibited low acute toxicity levels.

New Constituents from the Fresh Stems of Opuntia Dillenii

Aim To study the chemical composition of Opuntia dillenii Haw. Methods Manykinds of chromatogra-phy methods were used in the isolation procedure, while the structures ofisolated compounds were determined on the aids of NMR and MS spectral analysis. Result Three newcompounds, together with 14 known compounds, were isolated form the 80% ethanolic extract of itsstems. Conclusion The three new compounds, opuntioside Ⅰ (2), 4-ethoxyl-6-hydroxymethyl-α-pyrone(3) and kaempferol 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), were characterized.

Endomycorrhizal Fungi and <i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i>Seed Germination on a Lunar Regolith Simulant

Endomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the survival of plants on poor soils. Planting seeds into lunar soil at a lunar colony will be a challenge for seeds of any plant. The seeds will need a special microbial “tool kit” that will help them germinate and the young seedlings establish themselves. In this study, seeds of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, were chosen to examine the presence of fungus spores in the soil, inside the seeds and after germination in the rhizosphere, roots and other tissues of the young seedlings. The nutrient poor lunar regolith simulant JSC-1A was used as autoclaved or untreated growth medium. The mycorrhizal fungus Trichoderma viride was predominantly identified on the roots of new seedlings. This fungus also demonstrated the strongest effect on the germination rate of the seeds in comparison with other fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of Opuntia plants. T. viride was not detected within seeds and also not within seedlings, besides the root tips, whereas an arbuscular mycorrhizal Glomus species was seed-borne and present throughout most of the seedling. A close association between T. viride and a Glomus species associated with O. ficus-indica is demonstrated through light microscopic and electron microscopic images of the outside and inside root tips of the seedlings.

仙人掌(Opuntia dillenii)离体繁殖的初步观察

本文对仙人掌 (Opuntiadillenii)的离体培养进行了研究 ,获得了芽增殖培养基 :MS +BA 5mg L +IBA 0 .1mg L ,生根培养基为MS 。

Comparison of hypotensive,diuretic and renal effects between cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica and furosemide

Objective: To investigate the diuretic, hypotensive and renal effect of Opuntia ficusindica in two different species in oral and intravenous administration.Methods: Diuretic activity was evaluated in rats with the plant cladode gel and aqueous extract administrated orally, and was evaluated in rabbits with plant extract administered intravenously. Single and repeated doses of cladode gel or aqueous extract of cladode were tested. Urine volume and blood and urine creatinine, sodium and potassium were measured, and creatinine clearance was calculated. The hypotensive effect of lyophilized extract of cladode was evaluated in rabbits. Two polyethylene PE50 catheters were used:one in the jugular vein for the infusion of the plant extract and the other in the carotid for the evaluation of the arterial pressure.Results: The cladode gel or aqueous extract increased urine volume, creatinine clearance and urinary excretion of sodium and potassium without significant effect on serum creatinine or blood urea. Furosemide, gel and aqueous extract of cladode insignificantly lowered plasma potassium in rats. Intravenous administration of the lyophilized extract caused a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure in rabbits with a significant increase in urine volume and urine sodium and potassium; the effect was dose dependent.Intravenous administration of lyophilized extract did not affect plasma sodium or potassium.Conclusions: Gel and aqueous extract of Opuntia ficus-indica cladode have a significant diuretic effect on rats, and the lyophilized extract has a diuretic and hypotensive effect on normotensive rabbits without deterioration in renal function test. Additional studies on active ingredients are essential to pave the way for clinical studies on diuretic and hypotensive effect of the plant.

Protective Effect of Phenolic-Rich Extracts from Different Parts of <i>Opuntia joconostle</i>Fruit against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Opuntia joconostle fruit is a rich source of biocompounds such as polyphenols including gallic, vanilic, 4-hidroxybenzoic, cafeic, and syringic acids, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, and vanillin, besides betalains. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of supplementation polyphenols-rich extracts from different parts of Opuntia joconostle against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in a mouse model. The animals were treated orally with polyphenols-rich extracts at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BW for 30 consecutive days. On day 30th the mice received carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as hepatoxic agent. Biochemical evaluations were carried out 24 h after induction of the oxidative stress. Data showed that methanolic extracts from different parts of Opuntia joconostle exerting protective effect against the CCl4-induced oxidative stress in mice. Histology examination revealed that the damage decreased in groups treated with polyphenols-rich extracts compared to the group that did not receive any treatment. Opuntia joconostle fruit contains many phenolic compounds, flavonoids and betalains. The protective effect of extracts may be related to the phenolic composition and also by a counteraction with other compounds, such as betalains and flavonoids that increase their antioxidant effect.

Use of Prosopis laevigata Seed Gum and Opuntia ficus-indica Mucilage for the Treatment of Municipal Wastewaters by Coagulation-Flocculation

Prosopis laevigata and Opuntia ficus-indica grow in arid and semiarid regions of Mexico and other countries. Both produce biopolymers with interesting characteristics from the rheological point of view as well as because of their coagulating-flocculating capabilities. Prosopis produce galactomannans inside the endosperm, very similar to those found in guar, locust bean, and tara gums. Opuntia sp. produces mucilage that contains polygalacturonic acid and five neutral sugars. Prosopis seed gum has not been proposed to be used as coagulant-flocculant before. In the case of Opuntia mucilage, some authors have suggested its use in the treatment of waters, using either the mucilage or the whole cladode powder. The use of these products in the treatment of municipal or even industrial wastewaters could give rise to diverse benefits. From the environmental point of view, treated waters with neither Fe nor Al, nor synthetic polymers would be obtained (with less toxicity risk). Besides, the produced sludges would be smaller in amount, with better biodegradability, and lower metals content. From the economical point of view, the use of these biopolymers would give an added value to the Opuntia and Prosopis culture in Mexico, helping small communities to enhance their incomes by producing environmental-friendly products. This work shows that both Prosopis galactomannan and Opuntia mucilage can be used to treat municipal wastewaters with an initial organic charge of about 827 mg/L as COD by the coagulation-flocculation process, with COD removals for the mesquite seed gum of up to 90% (pH 10, dose of 75 mg/L) and of 60% (pH 7, doses of 50 and 150 mg/L). In the case of mucilage, 65% of the initial COD was removed at pH 10 (dose of 50 mg/L). These figures are very promising for the treatment of wastewaters, with environmental-friendly products.

Management of the Prickly Pear Mealy Bug, Dactylopius opuntiae Using Bio-Insecticide in Morocco

The cochineal, Dactylopius opuntiae, has recently become the main pest that damages the prickly cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, plants in Morocco. The control methods in which pesticides are used and applied weekly, have generated phytotoxicity, poisoning and high residuality in fresh nopal, which also prevents its commercialization in international markets and the constant risk to human and animal health. Therefore, the use of less aggressive products with a low impact on the environment and is sustainable for the crop, has been introduced without an obvious strategy for gradual control of the insect. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Beta vulgaris subsp., Eucalyptus torquata and Cedrus atlantica plant extracts (Eucalyptus leaves, small pieces of beet and Cedrus leaves powdered and macerated in 100 ml of distilled water for 72 h) for controlling of D. opuntiae under laboratory and field conditions. The results show that these extracts constitute a viable alternative for the control of wild cochineal in the nopal. A gradual reduction of cochineal populations was obtained, until after the third application with these extracts, with biological effectiveness of up to 90%. The findings of our study indicate that Beta vulgaris subsp., plant extracts could be used in the development and implementation of a biological control program against D. opuntiae under field conditions.