Temperature and extraction methods effects on yields, fatty acids, and tocopherols of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed oil of eastern region of Morocco

Phytochemical, biological, and nutritional properties of the prickly pear, Opuntia dillenii: A review

Opuntia (Cactaceae) species are native to arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico and the southern United States and grow in various climatic zones. Opuntia dillenii is a cactus fruit with many beneficial properties, and it is used as a medicinal plant in various countries. This review paper provides updated information on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of O. dillenii. The fruit contains valuable compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, ascorbic acid, betanin, and essential elements, which have been isolated and identified. The fruit also exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, anti-diabetic, antifungal, and anticancer effects. Moreover, molecular docking and ADMET predictions were performed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of the fruit against Escherichia coli protein. This paper suggests that O. dillenii has significant potential as a complementary therapy for various pathological conditions.

Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Possess Important Beneficial Properties Dependent on Their Different Stages of Maturity

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered with thorns, and are essential to reduce excessive perspiration of water. The composition of cladodes is very varied, and the main constituents are water, fibers, polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, sterols, minerals, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for many beneficial activities for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and nutritional properties. The purpose of this manuscript was to compare the properties of cladodes belonging to the same plant but with different stages of maturity. Relative extracts were tested both in vitro and on a cell line and antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties were found. The antioxidant activity was tested by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) test, and the measurement of cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Anti-apoptotic activity was evaluated by the annexin/PI assay and measurement of caspases 9 and 3 expression. The results obtained showed that the extracts considered possess antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the different stages of maturity of cladodes are essential for the performance of both functions. In addition, important variations were made in the dissolution of the extracts that brought greater safety in their use. In conclusion, this manuscript provides further information on cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, which can be used as adjuvants in many human pathologies.

Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Activities of Three Essential Oils Collected from Eastern Morocco (Origanum compactum, Salvia officinalis, and Syzygium aromaticum): A Comparative Study

Throughout history, essential oils have been employed for their pleasing scents and potential therapeutic benefits. These oils have shown promise in various areas, including aromatherapy, personal care products, natural remedies, and even as alternatives to traditional cleaning agents or pest control solutions. The study aimed to explore the chemical makeup, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of Origanum compactum Benth., Salvia officinalis L., and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry. Initially, the composition of the three essential oils, O. compactum (HO), S. officinalis (HS), and S. aromaticum (HC) was analyzed using GC-MS technology, revealing significant differences in the identified compounds. α-thujone emerged as the predominant volatile component in the oils, making up 78.04% of the composition, followed by eugenol, which constituted 72.66% and 11.22% of the HC and HO oils, respectively. To gauge antioxidant capabilities, tests involving DPPH scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity were conducted. Antioxidant activity was determined through the phosphomolybdate test and the DPPH• radical scavenging activity, with the HO essential oil displaying significant scavenging capacity (IC50 of 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/mL), similar to ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.26 ± 0.24 mg/mL). Similarly, the TAC assay for HO oil revealed an IC50 of 1086.81 ± 0.32 µM AAE/mg. Additionally, the oils' effectiveness against four bacterial strains, namely Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, and five fungi, Geotrichum candidum, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata, and Candida albicans, was tested in vitro. The examined essential oils generally exhibited limited antimicrobial effects, with the exception of HC oil, which demonstrated an exceptionally impressive level of antifungal activity. In order to clarify the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects of the identified plant compounds, we employed computational methods, specifically molecular docking. This technique involved studying the interactions between these compounds and established protein targets associated with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity of Ptychotis verticillata Essential Oil: Towards Novel Breast Cancer Therapeutics

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells in breast tissue, and oxidative stress activated by an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with its development and progression. Essential oils from medicinal plants, known for their antioxidant and therapeutic properties, are being explored as alternatives. Ptychotis verticillata, also known as Nûnkha, is a medicinal plant native to Morocco, belonging to the Apiaceae family, and used for generations in traditional medicine. This study focuses on the phytochemical characterization of P. verticillata essential oil (PVEO) from the province of Oujda, Morocco, for its therapeutic properties. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation, and its volatile components were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results revealed the presence of various aromatic and terpene compounds, with carvacrol being the most abundant compound. PVEO showed antioxidant properties in several tests, including β-carotene bleaching, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). It also demonstrated cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with higher selectivity for MDA-MB-231. The results reveal that Ptychotis verticillata essential oil (PVEO) could be a promising natural alternative for the treatment of breast cancer.

Protective Effect of Nopal Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Seed Oil against Short-Term Lipopolysaccharides-Induced Inflammation and Peroxisomal Functions Dysregulation in Mouse Brain and Liver

Exposure to endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) may lead to a potent inflammatory cytokine response and a severe impairment of metabolism, causing tissue injury. The protective effect provided by cactus seed oil (CSO), from Opuntia ficus-indica, was evaluated against LPS-induced inflammation, dysregulation of peroxisomal antioxidant, and β-oxidation activities in the brain and the liver. In both tissues, a short-term LPS exposure increased the proinflammatory interleukine-1β (Il-1β), inducible Nitroxide synthase (iNos), and Interleukine-6 (Il-6). In the brain, CSO action reduced only LPS-induced iNos expression, while in the liver, CSO attenuated mainly the hepatic Il-1β and Il-6. Regarding the peroxisomal antioxidative functions, CSO treatment (as Olive oil (OO) or Colza oil (CO) treatment) induced the hepatic peroxisomal Cat gene. Paradoxically, we showed that CSO, as well as OO or CO, treatment can timely induce catalase activity or prevent its induction by LPS, respectively, in both brain and liver tissues. On the other hand, CSO (as CO) pretreatment prevented the LPS-associated Acox1 gene and activity decreases in the liver. Collectively, CSO showed efficient neuroprotective and hepato-protective effects against LPS, by maintaining the brain peroxisomal antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and by restoring hepatic peroxisomal antioxidant and β-oxidative capacities.