Evidence mapPaperPMID 41999101Full record

ArticleBioMed research international2026

Aqueous Extract of Opuntia ficus-indica (L. Mill) Cladodes Demonstrates Antidiabetic Effect in Normoglycemic and STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Nyaradzo Ellen Masango, Ernest Amponsah Asiamah, Orleans Martey, Justice Kwaku Addo, Samuel Kyei, Alex Boye

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Article in BioMed research international, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nyaradzo Ellen MasangoDepartment of Biomedical Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, ucc.edu.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5885-3994
Ernest Amponsah AsiamahDepartment of Biomedical Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, ucc.edu.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9428-1891
Orleans MarteyDepartment of Pharmacology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akuapim, Ghana, cpmr.org.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6740-5411
Justice Kwaku AddoDepartment of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, ucc.edu.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0196-2087
Samuel KyeiSchool of Optometry and Vision Science, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, ucc.edu.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2568-8246
Alex BoyeDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, ucc.edu.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1133-0940

Funding

Partnering for Health Professional Training in African Universities
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOpuntia ficus-indica (L. Mill) cladode is traditionally used for food and for the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), but its scientific basis and mechanisms remain underexplored.

objectiveThe study assessed antidiabetic effects and mechanisms of action of O. ficus-indica aqueous extract (OFIAE).

methodsFresh cladodes were blended, centrifuged, and filtered to obtain OFIAE. Phytochemical profiling used colorimetric methods. Antidiabetic potential was evaluated via (1) oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normoglycemic Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with OFIAE (4, 40, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.), metformin, or none; (2) glucose uptake assay in yeast cells with glucose (5, 10, and 25 mM) ± OFIAE (125-1250 μg/mL); and (3) in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. Experimental diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (STZ-nicotinamide; fasting blood glucose [FBG] > 11 mmol/L). Diabetic rats were treated orally for 28 days with OFIAE (4, 40, and 400 mg/kg), metformin (300 mg/kg), or vehicle. Body weight and FBG were recorded weekly. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured posttreatment. Liver (PAS and H&E) and pancreas (H&E and insulin immunostaining) were histologically examined.

resultsOFIAE contained flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds. OFIAE significantly reduced postprandial blood glucose during OGTT compared to control. It enhanced glucose uptake in yeast and inhibited α-amylase (IC

conclusionOFIAE exhibits antihyperglycemic effects by inhibiting carbohydrate-digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), enhancing peripheral glucose uptake, increasing insulin secretion, and promoting hepatic glycogen storage. These findings validate its traditional use and highlight its potential as a complementary therapy for Type 2 DM.

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, ExperimentalHypoglycemic AgentsOpuntiaPlant Extractsalpha-AmylasesAnimalsBlood GlucoseGlucose Tolerance TestLiverMaleMetforminRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyStreptozocinalpha-AmylasesBlood GlucoseHypoglycemic AgentsMetforminPlant ExtractsStreptozocinalpha amylasealpha glucosidasediabetes mellitushypoglycemiainsulinOpuntia ficus-indicastreptozotocin

Identifiers

PMID41999101
PMCPMC13090572

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.