Investigation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Fruit extract

Abstract

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (Prickly pear cactus) is located in the Mediterranean and Aegean Region and belongs to the Cactaceae family (Kabas et al. 2006). This species is known as "kaynana dili, firenk inciri, hint inciri" in Turkey (Güner et al. 2012) and as "prickly pear" elsewhere in the world. The nutritional properties of this species have long been known. In Mediterranean countries, cladodes are not typically consumed as nutrients, but the fruits are largely consumed due to natural antioxidants which are may be protective against oxidative damage (Lee et al. 2002). The fruits are used also in traditional medicine for their hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic actions (Butera et al. 2002). The phytochemical compounds of prickly pear fruits and cladodes are vitamins, carotenoids, betalains, and polyphenolic compounds which have proven biological activities and health benefits (anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective effect) (Ammar et al. 2018; Mena et al. 2018). OFI is especially rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Due to the high amount of these substances the prickly pear fruit has a potent antioxidant activity (Butera et al. 2002; Lee et al. 2002; Investigation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.