Kenny Misael Calvillo-Rodríguez, Joshua Jael Sauceda López, María Norma González-Flores, Helen Yarimet Lorenzo-Anota, Jesus Alberto Vazquez-Rodriguez, Omar Lozano-Garcia, María Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla, Marilena Antunes-Ricardo, Ana Carolina Martínez-Torres
The ethanolic extract of OFI exhibited high digestibility and retained biological activity after administration. It attenuated LPS-induced systemic inflammation and alleviated associated symptoms by modulating oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory mediator production. These findings support the traditional use of OFI and its potential as a complementary strategy for managing inflammatory conditions.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), a plant native to the Americas, has been used since pre-Hispanic times in Mexican traditional medicine as both a food source and an herbal remedy for various ailments. Its reported antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties support its traditional use and suggest potential therapeutic applications in inflammatory disorders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro digestibility of an ethanolic extract of OFI cladode was evaluated. Anti-inflammatory effects were subsequently assessed in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia model in mice. Animals received OFI supplementation prior to LPS challenge and were evaluated for biocompatibility, sickness behavior, and endotoxemia-associated symptoms. Immune cells isolated from OFI-supplemented mice and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) pretreated with OFI before LPS stimulation were analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial function, nitric oxide (NO), and TNF-α production.
RESULTS: The ethanolic extract of OFI cladode exhibited high in vitro digestibility. OFI supplementation was well tolerated, prevented sickness behavior, and attenuated endotoxemia-associated symptoms in LPS-challenged mice. Immune cells from OFI-supplemented mice showed reduced ROS production, improved mitochondrial function, and decreased systemic TNF-α levels. Similarly, OFI pretreatment of human PBMCs reduced ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, NO production, TNF-α, IL1β, and IL-6 release following LPS stimulation.
CONCLUSION: The ethanolic extract of OFI exhibited high digestibility and retained biological activity after administration. It attenuated LPS-induced systemic inflammation and alleviated associated symptoms by modulating oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory mediator production. These findings support the traditional use of OFI and its potential as a complementary strategy for managing inflammatory conditions.