Therapeutic potential of Opuntia ficus indica extract against cadmium-induced osteoporosis and DNA bone damage in male rats

The purpose of the present study was to assess protective effects ‘Opuntia ficus indica’ (family Cactaceae) against osteoporosis induced by cadmium chloride in female Wistar rats. Experiments were carried out on 36 male rats (6-8 weeks old) divided into four groups nine each: a control group, group treated with (3,5 mg/kg /day) subcutaneous injection, Opuntia indica extract (100 mg/Kg/day) gavage, and opuntia then cadmium. After 10 treatment, animals from each rapidly sacri?ced decapitation. Blood serum obtained centrifugation. Bone toxicity estimated examining femoral length weight, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D3 alkaline phsphatase (ALP) levels, oxidative status DNA aspects femur tissue. Results showed that could induce hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, Vit D deficiency, increase ALP level, decrease weight length. Also, an stress evidenced statistically signi?cant losses activities catalase (CAT), superoxide-dismutase (SOD), glutathione-peroxidase (GPX) lipids peroxidation level bone tissue cadmium-treated compared group. In addition, histological analysis cadmium-induced revealed pronounced morphological alterations areas resorption loss normal architecture diaphysis as well fragmentation. However, administration cactus attenuated damage. effect plant can be attributed its antioxidant properties existence phenolic acids flavonoids, highlighted HPLC-based analysis. These findings indicate extract, used new option nutraceutical field.