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) gava...

Methotrexate is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent used for leukemia and other malignancies [1,2]. However its efficacy is often limited by severe side effects and toxic conditions [3]. The chemical and morphological changes in the small intestine may possibly be triggered by crypt cells damage [4]. Recently, special interest has been focused on the cactus to Opuntia species. Indeed prickly pea...

Juices of edible fruits from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller, commonly named prickly pears or Indian figs, were analysed for amino acids using an automated amino acid analyser run in the high-resolution physiological mode. Emphasis was put on the detection of free taurine (Tau), but Tau could be detected neither in different cultivars of prickly pears from Italy, South Africa and the Near East...

Contrasting metabolic regimes operate in Opuntia basilaris Engelm. and Bigelov, before and after precipitation. During periods of drought, atmospheric CO(2) exchange and transpiration are greatly reduced throughout the day/night cycle by stomatal closure and a highly impervious cuticle. The hypothesis is that endogenously produced CO(2) is retained and recycled through dark CO(2) fixation, orga...

Biofilm is a complex microbial community highly resistant to antimicrobials. The formation of biofilms in biotic and abiotic surfaces is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. New alternatives for controlling infections have been proposed focusing on the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants and their antimicrobial effects. In the present study the ...