Evaluation of the therapeutic effect on consumption of Opuntia ficus-indica Haw (Cactaceae)

Opuntia ficus-indica Haw (Cactaceae) is a xerophilous plant, developing in arid and semi-arid climates popularly known as prickly pear, fig tree or nopal. This study aimed to determine the beneficial effects of phytochemicals present in Opuntia ficus-indica. To this end, a literature review was carried out in the Google Scholar® and PubMed databases using the health descriptors: Opuntia ficus-indica, prickly pear and nopal, until 2020. As an inclusion criterion, the articles were analyzed based on the quality of the hypothesis / objective description; quality of the description of the outcome to be studied; characterization of the included sample; quality of the description and discussion of the main photochemical compounds found in Opuntia ficus-indica related to the benefits for human health; quality of the description of the study's main findings. Cladodes are the most used part of the plant, where most of the important beneficial properties that are used for human health and disease prevention are concentrated. In view of what is available in the literature, it is concluded that it is a plant that has not been explored much, therefore, more studies are needed for new discoveries to be made about the biological activities of the plant under study.