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Opuntia

Opuntias are a genus of plants in the cactus family, of which the prickly pear is probably the best known. In parts of Mexico and in Mexican-American cultures, opuntias form part of the diet. Only the young plant is eaten, as the older plants are too hard. Opuntias are also used as medicine. Opuntias are used to treat type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, alcohol hangovers, colitis, diarrhea and benign prostate enlargement. They are also used to combat viral infections. In food, opuntia is used in jellies and sweets.

How do opuntias work?

Opuntia contains fiber and pectin, which can lower blood sugar levels by reducing the absorption of sugar in the stomach and intestines. Some scientists believe that opuntia may also lower cholesterol levels and kill viruses in the body.

How effective are Opuntia products?

Opuntia products are potentially effective for the following conditions:

  • Diabetes: the grilled strain of one Opuntia species (Opuntia streptacantha) appears to lower blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes. A single dose can lower blood sugar levels by 17 to 46% in some people. However, it is not known whether continued daily use can permanently lower blood sugar levels. The raw strain of this species does not appear to work and other Opuntia species do not appear to have such an effect.
  • Hangover after alcohol consumption: Taking Opuntia products before consuming alcohol could reduce the hangover the next day. These products appear to significantly reduce symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and dry mouth. However, hangover symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and diarrhea do not appear to be reduced.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Opuntia products for prostate enlargement. Men suffering from prostate enlargement often feel that their bladder is full and have a strong need to urinate regularly. Recent research suggests that taking Opuntia products may reduce these symptoms. There is also a lack of scientific information on the effectiveness of Opuntia products in treating high cholesterol, obesity, colitis and diarrhea, as well as in treating infections caused by viruses. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Opuntia products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Opuntia is probably safe and harmless when consumed as food. The leaves, stem, flowers, fruits and standardized extracts may be safe when used as medicine in reasonable amounts over a short period of time. Opuntia may cause some side effects including mild diarrhea, nausea, bloating and headaches.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Opuntia products during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Opuntia products.

Diabetes: Opuntia products may lower blood sugar levels, and taking Opuntia products in conjunction with diabetes medications may lower blood sugar levels too much, so diabetics should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels when using Opuntia products.

Surgeries: Opuntia products could lower blood sugar levels and there are therefore concerns that Opuntia products could affect blood sugar control during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking Opuntia products two weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining Opuntien products with the following medications:

Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide is used to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Opuntia products could also lower blood sugar levels. Taking Opuntia products in combination with chlorpropamide could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Glyburide

Glyburide is used to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Opuntia products could also lower blood sugar levels. Taking Opuntia products in combination with glyburide could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Diabetes medication

Opuntia products may lower blood sugar. Diabetes medication is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Opuntia products in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral

  • For diabetes: 100-500 grams of grilled opuntia stem per day. This dose is often divided into three equal doses, which are consumed throughout the day.
  • For a hangover after alcohol consumption: 1600 IU of a specific Opuntia extract (Tex-OE, Extracts Plus, Inc.) taken 5 hours before consuming alcohol.

References

  1. Ahmad A, Davies J, Randall S, Skinner GR. Antiviral properties of extract of Opuntia streptacantha. Antiviral Res 1996;30:75-85.
  2. Argaez-Lopez N, Wacher NH, Kumate-Rodriguez J, et al. The use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in type 2 diabetic patients in Mexico. Diabetes Care 2003;26:2470-1.
  3. Bacardi-Gascon M, Duenas-Mena D, Jimenez-Cruz A. Lowering effect on postprandial glycemic response of nopales added to Mexican breakfasts. Diabetes Care 2007;30:1264-5.
  4. Bush TM, Rayburn KS, Holloway SW, et al. Adverse interactions between herbal and dietary substances and prescription medications: a clinical survey. Altern Ther Health Med 2007;13:30-5.
  5. Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, McNamara DJ. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism without affecting cholesterol absorption in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. J Nutr 1994;124:817-24.
  6. Frati AC, Xilotl Diaz N, Altamirano P, et al. The effect of two sequential doses of Opuntia streptacantha upon glycemia. Arch Invest Med (Mex) 1991;22:333-6.
  7. Frati Munari AC, Quiroz Lazaro JL, Alramirano Bustamante P, et al. The effect of various doses of nopal (Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire) on the glucose tolerance test in healthy individuals. Arch Invest Med (Mex) 1988;19:143-8.
  8. Frati Munari AC, Vera Lastra O, Ariza Andraca CR. Evaluation of nopol capsules in diabetes mellitus. Gac Med Mex 1992;128:431-6.
  9. Frati-Munari AC, Altamirano-Bustamante E, Rodríguez-Bárcenas N, et al. Hypoglycemic action of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire: study using raw extracts. Arch Invest Med (Mex) 1989;20:321-5.
  10. Frati-Munari AC, Del Valle-Martinez LM, Ariza-Andraca CR, et al. Hypoglycemic action of different doses of nopal (Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire) in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Arch Invest Med (Mex) 1989;20:197-201.
  11. Frati-Munari AC, Gordillo BE, Altamirano P, Ariza CR. Hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1988;11:63-6.
  12. Frati-Munari AC, Licona-Quesada R, Araiza-Andraca CR, et al. Activity of Opuntia streptocantha in healthy individuals with induced hyperglycemia. Arch Invest Med (Mex) 1990;21:99-102.
  13. Frati-Munari AC, Roca-Vides RA, Lopez-Perez RJ, et al. The glycemic index of some foods common in Mexico. Gac Med Mex 1991;127:163-70.
  14. Meckes-Lozyoa M, Roman-Ramos R. Opuntia streptacantha; a coadjutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 1986;14:116-8.
  15. Palevitch D, Earon G, Levin I. Treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy with Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller. Int J Comp Alt Med 1994;Sept:21-2.
  16. Rayburn K, Martinez R, Escobedo M, et al. Glycemic effects of various species of nopal (Opuntia sp.) in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Texas J Rural Health 1998;26:68-76.
  17. Roman-Ramos R, Flores-Saenz JL, Alarcon-Aguilar FJ. Anti-hyperglycemic effect of some edible plants. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;48:25-32.
  18. Roman-Ramos R, Flores-Saenz JL, Partida-Hernandez G, et al. Experimental study of the hypoglycemic effect of some antidiabetic plants. Arch Invest Med (Mex) 1991;22:87-93.
  19. Sobieraj DM, Freyer CW. Probable hypoglycemic adverse drug reaction associated with prickly pear cactus, glipizide, and metformin in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:1334-7.
  20. Tesoriere L, Butera D, Pintaudi AM, et al. Supplementation with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit decreases oxidative stress in healthy humans: a comparative study with vitamin C. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:391-5.
  21. Trejo-Gonzalez A, Gabriel-Ortiz G, Puebla-Perez A, et al. A purified extract from prickly pear cactus (Opuntia fuliginosa) controls experimentally induced diabetes in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;55:27-33.
  22. Wiese J, McPherson S, Odden MC, Shlipak MG. Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover. Arch Intern Med 2004;164:1334-40.
  23. Wolfram R, Budinsky A, Efthimiou Y, et al. Daily prickly pear consumption improves platelet function. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003;69:61-6.