In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Four Edible Cactaceae Flowers from Mexico

The therapeutic properties of edible flowers are widely used to improve human health. The phenolic compounds present in edible flowers, such as phenols and flavonoids, among others, play an important role as effective antioxidant compounds against diseases related to oxidative stress. These compounds exhibit biological activities such as anti-ulcerogenic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of hydroethanolic extracts of four Mexican cacti flowers.

A hydroethanolic extract was obtained via maceration for each cactus flower and evaluated using a model of edema induced in mouse ears by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a guide for the anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds in cacti flower extracts were quantified by HPLC.

All of the hydroalcoholic flower extracts showed an anti-inflammatory effect. The greatest effect of inhibition of auricular edema (61.2 ± 4.23%) was observed in the group of mice treated with the Cardon extract at a dose of 3 mg/ear. This effect can be attributed to the main compounds detected by HPLC in the extract such as p-coumaric acid, catechin, kaempferol, and quercetin. These compounds are involved in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and enzymes such as cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases.

This preliminary evidence supports further preclinical evaluation of the Cardon flower.