Biological Activities and Chemical Composition of Pereskia Species (Cactaceae)—A Review

• Published in: Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht) Vol. 69; no. 3; pp. 189 - 195
• Main Authors: de Castro Campos Pinto, Nícolas, Scio, Elita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.09.2014; Springer US; Springer
• Subjects: Analgesics - chemistry; Analgesics - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants - chemistry; Antioxidants - pharmacology; bioactive properties; Biological and medical sciences; Cactaceae - chemistry; Cactaceae - classification; chemical composition; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Diuretics - chemistry; Diuretics - pharmacology; Ecology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Food Science; foods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Nutrition; Original Paper; Pereskia; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plant Physiology; Spices - analysis; traditional medicine; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Bioactivity; Cactaceae; Medicinal food; Natural products; Nutrition; Natural product; Review; Biological activity; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Pereskia; Spermatophyta; Chemical composition; Food
• ISSN: 0921-9668; 1573-9104
• DOI: 10.1007/s11130-014-0423-z

The exploration of nature as a source of sustainable, novel bioactive substances continues to grow as natural products play a significant role in the search for new therapeutic and agricultural agents. In this context, plants of the genus Pereskia (Cactaceae) have been studied for their biological activities, and are evolving as an interesting subject in the search for new, bioactive compounds. These species are commonly used as human foodstuffs and in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. This review focuses on the bioactivity and chemical composition of the genus Pereskia, and aims to stimulate further studies on the chemistry and biological potential of the genus.