Pharmaco-Analytical Study and Phytochemical Profile of Hydroethanolic Extract of Algerian Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica.L)

Background: "Opuntia ficus-indica" (prickly pear) is the cactus member of the Cactaceae family as an important nutrient and food source. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the phytochemical composition of hydroalcoholic extract of prickly pear seeds that cause therapeutic effects. Methods: Phytochemical screening based on simple tests and determination of secondary metabolites were performed by High-Performance Liquid with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. For the pharmacological studies, the anti-inflammatory activity in rats was evaluated by carrageenaninduced inflammation, the description of the sedative activity was carried to the following behavioural tests, and the analgesic effect of the extract was assessed by the resistance induced by acetic acid, and the tail immersion test in mice. Results: The test drug at 500 mg/kg dose showed a significant increase in mean latency in the TAIL FLICK test, and a decrease in the average number of twisting movements in the KOSTER test, thus, a significant anti-inflammatory activity in the pattern of paw edema induced by carrageenan, and an important sedative effect on the central nervous system. Conclusion: These data suggest that the seeds of the cactus "Opuntia ficus-indica" could be a potential source of natural compound and reveal that the hydroethanolic extract of this species is a promising source, as well as a therapeutic agent for the research of new natural active ingredients.