Effect of Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck cladodes flour on glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic CD-1 mice

Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck is a cactus species native to Mexico, now widely distributed in the West Indies and tropical America. It is a species not usually consumed as food, but due to its composition of bioactive compounds, it could be used to treat diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of N. cochenillifera cladode flour on glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic CD-1 mice. The flour obtained from cladodes absorbed glucose proportionally to the glucose concentration, and it was observed that the administration of flour (10.5 mg/kg body) decreased glucose levels in diabetic mice compared to the control group. This preclinical study demonstrates that N. cochenillifera flour could be used to improve glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes.