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
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Type 2 diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research indicates that prickly pear may help lower blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. A specific study in diabetic adults found that including prickly pears at breakfast can decrease post-meal blood glucose. Nevertheless, the long-term impact of prickly pear on blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (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 dietary regimen, a daily intake of 250 g of edible prickly pear pulp may reduce total cholesterol by 12%, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 15%, and triglycerides by 12% in patients with isolated primary hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia; however, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels do not appear to be affected.
Posologie
Oral use: fruit, cladodes
250 g
powder, concentrated juice, aqueous extract, pulp, ethanolic extract
Metabolic syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Another small study conducted in adults with 1 to 2 risk factors for metabolic syndrome found that weekly consumption of 500 mg of durum wheat pasta containing 3% prickly pear cactus extract for 1 month modestly reduced waist circumference, blood glucose, and triglycerides, but not other lipid parameters or weight, compared with baseline. nnThe validity of these results is limited by the absence of a control group.nn
Posologie
Oral: 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 from the fruit of Opuntia ficus indica TEX-OE™ have been shown to accelerate the development of HSPs in several animal species. In humans, the extracts have shown beneficial effects on the cognitive system after alcohol consumption. No studies to date confirm these properties regarding resistance to stress 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 people. 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 70 years old.
Posologie
Oral: 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 study, 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 in 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 with placebo, with a significantly greater reduction in BMI (body mass index), body fat composition, and waist circumference. In another recent study concerning Mexican ancestral foods and their usefulness for cardiovascular problems in obese people, 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. Daily nopal consumption resulted in a significant decrease in weight, body mass index (BMI), as well as waist and hip circumferences.
Posologie
Oral: fruit, cladodes
280 g
12 weeks
concentrated juice, pulp
Skin health ✪✪✪✪✪
The study is a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the beneficial effects of Opuntia humifusa (a variety called prickly pear), also known as Cheonnyuncho in Korea, on human health by focusing on its antioxidant properties.nnThe results indicate that Opuntia humifusa is effective at improving collagen synthesis. The authors conclude that extracts of this variety of prickly pear, as antioxidants, are promising for the treatment of skin aging.nnTraditionally, the prickly pear is used for burns. The seed oil is moisturizing and is also indicated to combat wrinkles.nn
Posologie
Topical application: fruit, seed
aqueous extract, oil
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In a clinical study, 100 individuals suffering from digestive disorders were recruited to measure the efficacy of an extract combining 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 showed a significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms among participants receiving the Mucosave extract. Notably, they experienced a reduction in abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness, flatulence and reflux. These findings suggest that this synergy could be an effective and well-tolerated way 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: 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), prickly pear (250 g of pulp) was able to beneficially affect various markers of oxidation, unlike vitamin C alone. A more recent study examined the effect of consuming prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, OFI) juice on redox balance and heart rate variability parameters after a maximal exercise test in physically active women. Eight women participated in a double-blind crossover study, where they consumed prickly pear juice or a placebo for several days before and after a maximal exercise test. The results showed a significant decrease in oxidative stress and an improvement in autonomic balance in the 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, the stress response, and relaxation. Good autonomic balance is essential for an appropriate response to stressful or relaxing situations. An imbalance can lead to various health problems, including cardiovascular disorders, sleep issues, 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 (Opuntia ficus-indica), at a dose of 500 g of fruit, appears 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 to be heat-stable up to 60 °C. Prickly pear is also thought to possibly increase insulin sensitivity. A recent meta-analysis showed that compared with the model group, prickly pear polysaccharides significantly improved 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, prickly pear would appear to bind fats in the stool and thus reduce their absorption. Indeed, the mucilage obtained from prickly pear reduced triglyceride levels in rats according to one study. A recent meta-analysis showed that compared with the model group, prickly pear polysaccharides significantly improved blood glucose levels, body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Research 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 than to others or to normal cells, and they induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) via the caspase cascade. Another study found that the aqueous fruit extract of O. ficus-indica and indicaxanthin, a pigment it contains, affected colon cancer cells, notably by altering 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 with IL-1β in co-treatment with indicaxanthin, a pigment derived from the Nopal fruit. This co-administration prevents activation of NOX-1 and NF-kB and reduces the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase. The pigment can therefore directly influence intestinal inflammatory mechanisms.
Usages associés
Neurological
In vitro studies have shown the fruit's ability to inhibit neuronal damage induced by free radicals. Reports have also revealed that intake of 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 the health of nerve cells, as well as pCREB and pERK 1/2, which are involved in cell signaling. These results suggest that regular intake of O. ficus-indica var. saboten could improve long-term memory. This improvement appears to be due to the activation of certain proteins and signaling pathways in the brain, notably 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
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 200 mg (standardized extract)
There is no typical documented dosage, but extracts such as powder, dry extract, concentrated juice or decoction, or ethanolic extracts have been used.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidiabetic: low interaction
Case studies show that combining prickly pear with antidiabetic medications — chlorpropamide, glyburide, glipizide, metformin, or a combination of these drugs — can lead to an additive reduction in blood glucose and hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is recommended to closely monitor their blood glucose levels. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Due to a lack of reliable information, avoid use.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Due to a lack of reliable information, avoid use.
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Prickly pear may lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is advisable to seek medical advice.
