Polyphenol profile and associated antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of Mexican Opuntia fruits

Abstract

Opuntia: (Cactaceae) species grow in arid and semi-arid regions around the globe. They grow in the wild but they are also cultivated and constitute an underestimated source of nutrients and functional compounds for human consumption and animal feed. The polyphenol composition and bioactivity of the fruits of six Opuntia that grow and/or are cultivated in Mexico have been investigated. These are O. ficus-indica, O. albicarpa, O.megacantha, O. undulata, O. robusta and O. joconostle. Protocatechuic, gallic, sinapic and ferulic acids were the most abundant polyphenols. The samples exhibited high antioxidant activity as assessed using the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, and also in Caco-2 cells exposed to the ABAP radical. The samples also inhibited proliferation of the Caco-2 and THP-1 cell lines, and the production of nitric oxide by RAW 246.7 cells. These activities indicate that Mexican Opuntias represent a valuable source of bioactive components with health promoting properties, which could constitute the basis for a revaluation of these plants.