**2. Materials and Methods**

more focus of many studies. It has been shown that there is a positive correlation between a nutritional rich in prickly pear cactus and a reduced risk of diseases associated with such as

*Opuntia* traditionally used as a valuable health supporting nutrient, the vegetative parts of *Opuntia* spp. is scarcely used in modern nutrition and medicine. It is suggested that Opuntia spp. could be considered as a new approach in treating noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Prickly pear is widely used as folk medicine for burned wound and indigestion and it is found that the effect of fruit extract is better than those of stem extract. Fruits are recommended as an expectorant and remedy for whooping cough, asthma, gonorrhea, ulcers,

The presence of potentially active nutrients and their multifunctional properties make fruits and cladodes of *Opuntia* spp. ideal candidates to produce nutraceutical products. In India, traditionally acceptable for its pharmacological properties of prickly pear, but insufficient scientific information and knowledge on these plants is still rarely available. *Opuntia* species in the last several years have been used as antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antiulcer, antiviral, diuretic, immunomodulatory, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, anticancer and neuroprotective. It is also used to improve platelet function, promote wound healing and is nutritionally important [8–11]. A novel food product which is a mixture of both soluble and insoluble fibers made from dehydrated leaves of the cactus *Opuntia is* found to have hypoli-

*Opuntia elatior* (prickly pear) uses as a highly nutritive food. These people are interested in healthy, prevention disease, natural life-style often promote prickly pear fruit used as a nutritional fruit. The fruit reported the anticlotting, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. In India, ethno- medicine, the cactus pulp and juice are used to treat the urinary tract infection, skin wounds, digestive problem and stomach swelling. The natural extract is a useful for

This fruit is used commonly by tribal people of the Kachchh region of Gujarat, India. This fruit has high medicinal properties. But information about this fruit regarding the chemical constitutes, nutritional value of fruit and medicinal properties, primary and secondary metabolites unknown is lacking. Thus, this fruit was analyzed for its nutritional value and medicinal properties.

paemic properties and hence useful for patients with lipid metabolism disorders.

alcohol hangovers, and the plant's gel-like sap is often used as a hair conditioner.

diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [6].

tumors, treatment of diarrhea and syphilis [7].

124 Phytochemicals - Source of Antioxidants and Role in Disease Prevention

**Figure 1.** *Opuntia elatior* Mill. plant.
