The bunny ears cactus can be used as a natural analgesic, say researchers

The bunny ears cactus plant (Opuntia microdasys) can be used as a natural analgesic, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

• A team of researchers from Tunisia and Italy assessed the analgesic and the anti-inflammatory activity of the bunny ears cactus flower extracts at the post-flowering stage in mice.
• The research team also conducted the Allium cepa test to measure the antigenotoxic effects of the bunny ears cactus plant.
• They examined the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the flower extracts of the bunny ears cactus by using the acetic acid writhing test in mice and the carrageenan?induced paw edema assay in mice.
• Results showed that the bunny ears cactus flower extracts exhibited a higher analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at 100 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
• Moreover, the bunny ears cactus flower extracts had a preventive antimutagenic potential against DNA damage.

Based on the findings of the study, the flower extracts of the bunny ears cactus at post-flowering stage may be used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic agents.

To read more stories on natural analgesics like the bunny ear plant, visit AlternativeMedicine.news today.

Journal Reference:

Chahdoura H, Khlifi A, Lamine JB, Ziani BEC, Adouni K, El Bok S, … Achour L. PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF OPUNTIA MICRODASYS FLOWER DECOCTION ON FRUCTOSE-ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS ON KIDNEY AND PANCREAS: CHEMICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSES. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 26 April 2017; 69 (8): 1056-1063. DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12734