HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF OPUNTIA-FICUS-INDICA IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS PATIENTS

To assess whether Opuntia ficus indica stems, or their crude preparations have hypoglycemic effects, 8 patients with non insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were studied. Four different tests were carried out on each patient following the oral intake of 500 g of O. ficus indica. These were either: entire broiled; blended broiled; blended crude or blended crude and heated at 60°C. A control test was performed in each patient as well. Serum glucose levels were measured at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min. Glycemia decreased in all the patients following ingestion of O. ficus indica, and reached statistically significant levels after 120 and 180 min (p < 0.01). The major hypoglycemic effect shown after O. ficus indica administration ranged from 23.3 ± 4.4 to 25.4 ± 14.3 mg/dL (mean ± SD) below the glucose levels at 0 min. No statistical differences in the hypoglycemic effects were observed between the Opuntia ficus indica preparations. Opuntia ficus indica exerts hypoglycemic effects in NIDDM patients independent of its heating or blending during preparation. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.