In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications

Benghanem Soumia; Chenafa Hadjer; Berrabah Ammaria; Benahmed Isam; Aouad Ismail

doi:10.38093/cupmap.1600535

In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as prickly pear, is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids, which have attracted growing interest due to their therapeutic potential. This study evaluates, using in silico approaches, the physicochemical properties, bioavailability, and toxicity of major compounds extracted from prickly pear cladodes. Molecular modeling tools such as SwissADME, Protox II, and Molinspiration were employed to predict their pharmacological profiles. The results indicate good aqueous solubility, favorable membrane permeability, and low acute toxicity for most bioactive substances, supporting the traditional use of this plant part by certain populations. Additionally, predicted interactions with relevant biological targets, particularly GSK-3β, involved in various pathologies such as diabetes, inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, suggest promising therapeutic potential. In particular, isoquercitrin, through its deglycosylated metabolite quercetin, emerged as a potential GSK-3β inhibitor in silico, making it a promising candidate for drug development. These findings highlight the importance of in silico assessments during the early stages of drug development, paving the way for future experimental investigations.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Benghanem Soumia ^*
0009-0009-5671-9173
Algeria

Chenafa Hadjer This is me
0009-0005-4942-7843
Algeria

Berrabah Ammaria This is me
0009-0002-8804-7032
Algeria

Benahmed Isam This is me
0009-0003-7647-0244
Algeria

Aouad Ismail This is me
0009-0005-8993-3724
Algeria

Early Pub Date

June 30, 2025

Publication Date

July 1, 2025

Submission Date

December 12, 2024

Acceptance Date

March 2, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.38093/cupmap.1600535

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35UX82AC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Soumia, B., Hadjer, C., Ammaria, B., Isam, B., & Ismail, A. (2025). In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 8(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.38093/cupmap.1600535

AMA

1.Soumia B, Hadjer C, Ammaria B, Isam B, Ismail A. In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications. CUPMAP. 2025;8(1):1-12. doi:10.38093/cupmap.1600535

Chicago

Soumia, Benghanem, Chenafa Hadjer, Berrabah Ammaria, Benahmed Isam, and Aouad Ismail. 2025. “In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia Ficus-Indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications”. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 8 (1): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.38093/cupmap.1600535.

EndNote

Soumia B, Hadjer C, Ammaria B, Isam B, Ismail A (July 1, 2025) In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 8 1 1–12.

IEEE

[1]B. Soumia, C. Hadjer, B. Ammaria, B. Isam, and A. Ismail, “In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications”, CUPMAP, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–12, July 2025, doi: 10.38093/cupmap.1600535.

ISNAD

Soumia, Benghanem - Hadjer, Chenafa - Ammaria, Berrabah - Isam, Benahmed - Ismail, Aouad. “In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia Ficus-Indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications”. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 8/1 (July 1, 2025): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.38093/cupmap.1600535.

JAMA

1.Soumia B, Hadjer C, Ammaria B, Isam B, Ismail A. In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications. CUPMAP. 2025;8:1–12.

MLA

Soumia, Benghanem, et al. “In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia Ficus-Indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications”. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, vol. 8, no. 1, July 2025, pp. 1-12, doi:10.38093/cupmap.1600535.

Vancouver

1.Benghanem Soumia, Chenafa Hadjer, Berrabah Ammaria, Benahmed Isam, Aouad Ismail. In Silico Exploration of the Safety Profile of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Prickly Pear Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica): Toward Therapeutic Applications. CUPMAP. 2025 Jul. 1;8(1):1-12. doi:10.38093/cupmap.1600535