Biological and Phytochemical Insights Into Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill: Cytotoxic, Wound-Healing, and Anti-Aging Potentials

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. has cultivated wild forms in many parts of the world, attracting notably with its fruit. Its fruits can be eaten raw or processed. Studies have shown that fruit juice has various pharmacological effects and significant nutritional value. This study investigated the phenolic composition of O. ficus-indica fruit juice. Caffeic acid was the major component. Cytotoxic activity and wound-healing effect were evaluated by in vitro assays. Results showed a concentration-dependent response, with the lowest viability (111.89% ± 17.90%) at 1000 μg/mL and the highest (162.25% ± 7.48%) at 250 μg/mL. The extract (0–250 μg/mL) had comparable wound closure to the control group. It increased the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, an in vivo model, at 125 μg/mL. The binding potential of O. ficus-indica to matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK3-β) was investigated for its wound-healing effect. The phytoconstituents are bound to MMP-13 and GSK3-β, but less than the native ligands. They bound more to MMP-13 than to GSK3-β. Caffeic acid showed the highest binding potential with MMP-13 and one of the highest with GSK3-β. This study suggests that the wound-healing and anti-aging effects of O. ficus-indica fruit juice can be promising.