Protective Effect of Opuntia dillenii Haw Fruit against Lead Acetate-Induced Hepatotoxicity: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Evaluation of Anti-Nociceptive, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Fibrotic effects of noscapine against a rat model of Achilles tendinopathy

During tendinopathy, prolonged inflammation results in fibrosis and the adherence of tendons to the adjacent tissues, causing discomfort and movement disorders. As a natural compound, noscapine has several anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of noscapine against a rat model of tendinopathy. We created a surgical rat model of Achilles tendon damage to emulate tendinopathy. Briefly, an incision was made on the Achilles tendon, and it was then sutured using an absorbable surgical thread. Immediately, the injured area was topically treated with the vehicle, noscapine (0.2, 0.6, and 1.8 mg/kg), or dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg) as a positive control. During the 19-day follow-up period, animals were assessed for weight, behavior, pain, and motor coordination testing. On day 20th, the rats were sacrificed, and the tendon tissue was isolated for macroscopic scoring, microscopic (H&E, Masson's trichrome, Ki67, p53) analyses, and cytokine secretion levels. The levels of macroscopic parameters, including thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical and cold allodynia, deterioration of motor coordination, tendon adhesion score, and microscopic indices, namely histological adhesion, vascular prominence and angiogenesis, and Ki67 and p53 levels, as well as fibrotic and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, VEGF) were significantly increased in the vehicle group compared to the sham group (P < 0.05-0.001 for all cases). In contrast, the administration of noscapine (0.2, 0.6, and 1.8 mg/kg) attenuated the pain, fibrosis, and inflammatory indices in a dose-dependent manner compared to the vehicle group (P < 0.05-0.001). Histological research indicated that noscapine 0.6 and 1.8 mg/kg had the most remarkable healing effects. Interestingly, two higher doses of noscapine had impacts similar to those of the positive control group in both clinical and paraclinical assessments. Taken together, our findings suggested that noscapine could be a promising medicine for treating tendinopathies.

Recent Research on Different Parts and Extracts of Opuntia dillenii and Its Bioactive Components, Functional Properties, and Applications

Opuntia dillenii (O. dillenii) is a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family that is abundant in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. O. dillenii is consumed as a local delicacy and has no other current use. To understand the nutritional value of O. dillenii in human health and its application in the food, cosmetic, and drug industries, this review summarizes information on the chemical compounds (pure α-pyrone compounds, flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, minerals, fatty acids, and betalains) and biological properties (anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-spermatogenic, anticancer, antilarval, anti-angiogenic, and antioxidant) of extracts from each part of the plant (fruit juice, fruit peel, cladode, and seeds) (aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic), and seed oil. In addition, data related to the recent applications of O. dillenii in various industries (e.g., edible coatings, food supplements, cosmetics, nanoparticles, and wastewater treatment) are provided.

Beneficial Effects of Opuntia spp. on Liver Health

The genus Opuntia spp. includes plants capable of growing in arid, temperate and tropical climates. The vast majority of wild species grow in Mexico, but O. ficus-indica (prickly pear or nopal) is cultivated around the world and it is one of the most studied. This review shows the currently available knowledge concerning the action of O. ficus-indica and other Opuntia species (Opuntia vulgaris, Opuntia robusta, Opuntia streptacantha, Opuntia microdasys, Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia dejecta) on liver health. The available data demonstrate the positive effects of extracts, vinegar, juices or seed oil of the Opuntia genus on the alterations induced in the liver by inadequate feeding patterns or the administration of chemicals. In this regard, the potential beneficial effects of nopal are related to the attenuation of triglyceride accumulation, oxidative stress and/or inflammation. Nevertheless, there is no information concerning the bioactive compound's characterisation in most of these studies; consequently, it is not possible to link the therapeutic effects of these plants to the presence of specific compounds in the nopal extracts. Therefore, further research is needed to confirm if the positive effects observed in animal models are also found in humans, in order to determine whether Opuntia can represent an effective tool to prevent and/or manage hepatic alterations.

Engineering and Evaluation of Forcespun Gelatin Nanofibers as an Isorhamnetin Glycosides Delivery System

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill (OFI) is considered a natural source of bioactive phytochemicals, mainly isorhamnetin glycosides (IRGs). These compounds have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, among others. The development of a suitable delivery system for these compounds is needed to improve their chemical and biological stability. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of fabrication and characterization of IRG-loaded gelatin (GL) forcespun fibers and crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (GTA). Two different percentages (25% and 30% w/v) of GL were evaluated with 12% (w/v) OFI flour to obtain nanofibers GL/OFI1 and GL/OFI2, respectively. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the fibers were investigated. The results indicated that the diameters of the fibers were on the nanoscale. The amount of IRGs was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The IRGs release and the cytocompatibility of the nanofibers were also evaluated. GL concentration significantly affected the IRG release. Among both nanofibers, the GL/OFI2 nanofiber achieved a cumulative IRGs release of 63% after 72 h. Both fibers were shown to be biocompatible with human skin/fibroblast cells. Specifically, GL/OFI1 nanofibers exhibited favorable features for their application as an extract-coupled release system. The IRGs-embedded GL nanofiber mats may become a good alternative for the delivery of phytochemicals for the health sector and biomedical applications.

Opuntia genus in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 1

Opuntia spp. is a diverse and widely distributed genus in Africa, Asia, Australia, and America. Mexico has the largest number of wild species; mainly O. streptacantha, O. hyptiacantha, O. albicarpa, O. megacantha and O. ficus-indica. The latter being the most cultivated and domesticated species. Throughout history, plants and their phytochemicals have played an important role in health care and Opuntia spp. has shown a high nutritional, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and economic impacts. Its main bioactive compounds include pigments (carotenoids, betalains and betacyanins), vitamins, flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and phenolic compounds. Together, they favor the different plant parts and are considered phytochemically important and associated with control, progression and prevention of some chronic and infectious diseases. This first review (Part 1), compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on its preventive effects against atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, hepatoprotection, effects on human infertility and chemopreventive and/or antigenotoxic capacity. The aim is to provide scientific evidences of its beneficial properties and to encourage health professionals and researchers to expand studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Opuntia spp.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Portulaca oleracea on Surgical-Induced Peritoneal Adhesion

Objective

Peritoneal adhesion (PA) is an abnormal connective tissue that usually occurs between tissues adjacent to damaged organs during processes such as surgery. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) were investigated against postoperative-induced peritoneal adhesion.

Methods

Thirty healthy male Wistar rats (220 ± 20 g, 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: (1) normal, (2) control (induced peritoneal adhesion), and (3) and (4) PO extracts (induced peritoneal adhesion and received 100 or 300 mg/kg/day of PO extract for seven days). Finally, macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed using different scoring systems and immunoassays in the peritoneal lavage fluid.

Results

We found that the levels of adhesion scores and interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β ₁, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased in the control group. However, PO extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) notably reduced inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), fibrosis (TGF-β ₁), angiogenesis (VEGF), and oxidative (MDA) factors, while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, antioxidant factor glutathione (GSH), compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Oral administration of PO improved postoperational-induced PA by alleviating the oxidative factors, fibrosis, inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis biomarkers, and stimulating antioxidative factors. Hence, PO can be considered a potential herbal medicine to manage postoperative PA. However, further clinical studies are required to approve the effectiveness of PO.