Relationship between

Cactus and Blood Glucose

Maxwell Breen, Kevin Chungchootairong, Run Tung Law,
Nhung Le, Shannon Lee, and Alexandra Perez

Nopal (Prickly Pear Cactus)

Extensively employed as medicinal plant by people of Mexican descent

Genus: Opuntia

nopalitos- sliced/diced tender young pads or paddles (cladodes)

Very sweet w/ astringency

History of Cactus as Alternative Medicine

Raw flesh applied topically for rheumatic & asthmatic symptoms of chest,
liver, earaches, skin abrasions and tumors

sun/windburn, minor rash/burn, hemorrhoids, snake/insect bites

Sweetened drink > lower fever, relieve chest pains

Flavonoids > have neuroprotective effects, antioxidants & free radical
scavenging properties
Prickly pear cactus & gastric ulcers
Capsules w/ dried prickly pear cactus > improve DM, hyperlipidemia,
obesity

(Anaya-Perez, 2001)

Traditional uses

Fresh nopal cactus has been consumed for its nutritional qualities and healing
properties

Now,utilization is due to three factors:

Traditional and popular uses

Latest advances in scientific studies
Functional foods and nutraceutical products available in market.

Uses and Doses (Modern)

USE
- Low Blood Sugar levels by 17% to 46% in some people
- Reduce nausea, anorexia, and dry mouth for hangover

DOSE
BY MOUTH:
-100-500 grams of broiled stems of prickly pear cactus daily. Doses are often divided into three equal
amounts and given throughout the day.
For hangover due to use of alcohol:
-1600 IU of a specific prickly pear cactus extract (Tex-OE, Extracts Plus, Inc.) taken 5 hours before
drinking alcohol.

Side effect : May cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal fullness, and increased stool volume

Scientific Research

Nutrition Facts per 100g: 41 kcal, 0.73g P, 0.51g F, 9.6 g C, 3.6g Fiber
85-92% H20, 4-6% carbs, 12.7 mg Vit C, and 12.9 g -carotene
Stems (pads)/ roots = source of dietary fiber > delay glu absorption
Raw cactus contains mucilage
Swells and holds water turning into gel - increasing viscosity of chyme
Psyllium, Chia Seeds, and more
Drug nutrient interaction/ side effect
Side effect may include constipation, and hypoglycemia when used
with other common drugs used to treat T2DM
In one case study, a patient with T2DM reported a hypoglycemic
effect in response to an adverse drug reaction with PPC (Nopal),
metformin, and glipizide.

*Aloeverachangeslives.com

Cactus & Diabetes

Hypoglycemic effect of nopal

May ^ insulin sensitivity for Type II DM (Stuart, 2003)

May have slight effect on decreasing serum cholesterol

High fiber which increases bulk and causes satiety

Increase fiber diets increase intake of active phytochemicals and

antioxidants (George, 2015)

However, outcome will depend on the individual, amount, and duration.

Mechanisms of Action

2 Possible mechanisms
1. Postprandial effect attributable to dietary fibers
Not digested or absorbed, but modify the absorption of certain
substances such as glucose
Large quantities of pectin and mucilage (soluble fibers) found in
Nopal increase the viscosity of food in the gut, slowing or
reducing sugar absorption.
2. Hypoglycemic effect due to specific hypoglycemic substances in the
plant.
No substance identified. Possibly polysaccharides.
Hypoglycemic effects aside from effects attributed to dietary
fiber observed in a study that used dextrose administered
parenterally (in rats).

Research Studies & Discussion

Nopal > hypoglycemic effect in patients with NIDDM

Mechanism unknown, but ^ sensitivity to insulin was suggested.
The intake of broiled nopal stems caused a significant decrease of serum
glucose level
Heating of nopal may be necessary to obtain the hypoglycemic effect
An acute hypoglycemic effect observed in diabetic patients, but not in
healthy subjects,
Mechanisms of this effect differ from current hypoglycemic agents

Conclusion

Nopal may improve serum cholesterol/glucose

No documented serious risks/complications
Nopal supplements should NOT replace DM-related drug therapies
Nopal + meds > ^ hypoglycemic risk
^ Consumption = ^ fiber/mucilage > reduce absorption of some meds

i.e. nopal + antibiotics

More research on humans needed > recommend

References
Aloeverachangeslives. (2013). Can a pregnant woman eat aloe vera? Retrived from http://www.aloeverachangeslives.com/can-a-pregnant-woman-eat-aloe-v
era.html
Defelice, M. S. (2004). Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia spp. - A spine-tingling tale. Weed Technology, 18 (3), 869-877. http://0-dx.doi.org.opac.sfsu.edu/10.1614/WT04-134
Ervin, G. N. (2012). Indian Fig Cactus (Opunta Ficus-Indica (L.) Miller) in the Americas: an Uncertain History. Cactus and Succulent Society of America, 70-81. http:
//dx.doi.org/10.2985/1070-0048-17.1.9
George, G. (2015). Fibers [PowerPoint Slides]. Personal Collection of Gretchen George, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California.
Lopez, Jose Luis Jr. (2007). Use of Opuntia Cactus as a Hypoglycemic Agent in Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Mexican American Patients. Nutrition
Bytes, 12(1). Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/555845bf
O'Brien, M., Walton, M. (2013). Cactus "flesh" cleans up toxic water. Retrieved from http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_ reports/science_nation/cactus.jsp
Sobieraj, D., & Freyer, C. (2010). Probable Hypoglycemic Adverse Drug Reaction Associated with Prickly Pear Cactus, Glipizide, and Metformin in a Patient with
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Volume 44(7-8), 1334-1337. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from the annals.com
Stuart, A. G. (2003). Prickly Pear Cactus. Retrieved from http://www.herbalsafety.utep.edu/herbs-pdfs/nopal.pdf
United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. (n.d.). Full Report (All Nutrients): 09287, Prickly pears, raw [Data file]. Retrieved from
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2360?fg=&manu=&lfacet=&format=Full&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=09287