An Extract from Prickly Pear Peel (Opuntia ficus-indica) Affects Cholesterol Excretion and Hepatic Cholesterol Levels in Hamsters Fed Hyperlipidemic Diets

The effect of a prickly pear peel extract on cholesterol excretion and plasma and hepatic cholesterol levels in hamsters with induced hypercholesterolemia was investigated. Female and male hamsters were fed for 5 weeks with experimental diets: NC, normal cholesterol diet; HC, hypocholesterolemic diet; HCOp, HC with prickly pear peel extract and HCPh, HC with phytosterols. Male and females hamsters fed HCOp diet increased their neutral fecal sterols (cholesterol + coprastanol) excretion by 77% (p<0.042) and 120% (p<0.003), respectively, compared to counterparts fed HC diet. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly reduced only in male hamsters fed HCPh. The phytosterols content in HCOp diet was almost 5 fold less compared to HCPh, and both treatments have reduced 35% (p<0.0001) hepatic cholesterol compared to hamsters fed the HC diet. Thus, the prickly pear peel extract rich in phytosterols showed a hypocholesterolemic effect. This evidence suggests that the prickly pear byproduct tested herein has potential to be employed as ingredient or supplement to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular diseases.