Physiological and Metabolic Effects of Opuntia ficus indica spp. Peel Formulations

The objective of this study is to determine the physiological and metabolic effects of administration of dietary fiber formulations to male Wistar rats. The study population was divided into five groups to which food and water were orally administered ad libitum (control), alongside Psyllium plantago, sennosides A and B, cactus pear peel powder, and cactus pear peel tablet powder for 28 days. Body weight, biochemical parameters, fecal moisture, and intestinal transit were determined. The administration of the fiber formulations did not cause differences between the groups and they maintained a healthy weight; however, the consumption of the cactus pear peel tablet powder decreased serum glucose (127.85 ± 5.37 to 68.30 ± 12.48 mg/dL) in rats in a similar form to Psyllium plantago (127.85 ± 5.37 to 96.96 ± 3.26 mg/dL) in comparison with commercial products for rats, and the cactus pear peel powder had lower triglyceride levels (49.52 to 74.44 mg/dL) than commercial products at the end of the treatment. The samples maintained normal HDL levels with the exception of Psyllium plantago that had a decrease in treatment after 28 days. The administration of formulations of dietary fiber of cactus pear peel had physiological and metabolic effects similar to those of commercial products without change in the growth of the animals. Therefore, it could be used in the pharmaceutical or food industry.