Antioxidant and anticlastogenic capacity of prickly pear juice

Abstract: Plants belonging to the genus Opuntia spp. are the most abundant of the Cactaceae family, grown throughout America and the Mediterranean central area. Its fruit, known as cactus pear or prickly pear, is an oval berry grouped in different colors. Some studies have shown its antioxidant activities which may help in preventing chronic pathologies such as diabetes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of three varieties of prickly pear juice (red-purple, white-green and yelloworange) in five different concentrations (100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/mL) by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) colorimetric method, selecting the best variety to determine its anticlastogenic potential against methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The results indicate that the highest antioxidant was found in the juice of the prickly pear red-purple variety (PPRP), in all concentrations. Its anticlastogenic potential was therefore evaluated with a micronucleus assay. The experiment was run over two weeks. A negative control was included along with a positive control with MMS (40 mg/kg), a group of mice treated with PPRP (25 mL/kg), and three groups with PPRP (in doses of 25, 16.5 and 8.3 mL/kg) plus the mutagen. The PPRP was administered daily by oral gavage and the MMS was injected intraperitoneally five days prior to the end of the experiment. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in order to determine the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE). The results indicated that PPRP is not a genotoxic agent, on the contrary, it may reduce the number of MNPE. In this regard, the PPRP showed an anticlastogenic effect directly proportional to its concentrations. Thus, the highest protection was obtained with a concentration of 25 mL/kg after 48 h of treatment.Resumen: Plantas pertenecientes al género Opuntia spp. Son los más abundantes de la familia Cactaceae, cultivada en toda América y el área central mediterránea. Su fruta, conocida como pera de cactus o pera espinosa, es una baya oval agrupada en diferentes colores. Algunos estudios han demostrado sus actividades antioxidantes que pueden ayudar en la prevención de patologías crónicas como la diabetes. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la capacidad antioxidante de tres variedades de jugo de tuna (rojo-morado, blanco-verde y amarillo-naranja) en cinco concentraciones diferentes (100, 250, 500, 750 y 1000 mg / mL) por DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidracilo), seleccionando la mejor variedad para determinar su potencial anticlastogénico contra metanosulfonato de metilo (MMS). Los resultados indican que el mayor antioxidante se encontró en el jugo de la variedad púrpura-púrpura (PPRP), en todas las concentraciones. Por tanto, se evaluó su potencial anticlastogénico con un ensayo de micronúcleos. El experimento se realizó durante dos semanas. Se incluyó un control negativo junto con un control positivo con MMS (40 mg / kg), un grupo de ratones tratados con PPRP (25 ml / kg) y tres grupos con PPRP (en dosis de 25, 16,5 y 8,3 ml / kg ) Más el mutágeno. El PPRP se administró diariamente por sonda oral y el MMS se inyectó intraperitonealmente cinco días antes del final del experimento. Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre a 0, 24, 48, 72 y 96 h para determinar la frecuencia de eritrocitos policromáticos micronucleados (MNPE). Los resultados indicaron que el PPRP no es un agente genotóxico, por el contrario, puede reducir el número de MNPE. En este sentido, el PPRP mostró un efecto anticlastogénico directamente proporcional a sus concentraciones. Así, se obtuvo la protección más alta con una concentración de 25 ml / kg después de 48 h de tratamiento

Aromatic Plants: use and nutraceutical properties

In the last years it has progressively been observed a substantial increase in the use of aromatic herbs and essential oils. Mediterranean area represents a particular environment in which many constraint factors (high light, temperature, drought, salinity, air pollution, etc.) induce a wide range of secondary metabolites in plants. These compounds can be useful utilized by humans for different applications: antibiotics, antimycotic, animal nutrition, cosmetics, food additives, biorepellents, etc. This paper reviews the literature on recent agro-industrial applications of Mediterranean plant species and medicinal plants used for the treatment of infectious diseases. The review includes accounts of extracts, essential oils and other active principles isolated from plants that have been used by folk medicine as antimicrobial agents. The name and part of the studied plants, spectrum of activity, type of active compounds and methods used are discussed and their mechanisms of action as well