Effect of Intake of Dehydrated Nopal Powder From Highly Mature Cladodes on the Lipid Profile

Background: Opuntia ficus-indica is a plant from the cactus family (Cactaceae) that is widespread and of great economic importance in Mexico. It has been consumed as food since pre-Hispanic times and is currently considered a nutraceutical. In this study, the effect of consumption of dehydrated nopal powder from highly mature cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica) on the lipid profile of overweight or obese patients diagnosed with dyslipidemia was investigated. Methods: A 3-month prospective clinical trial was conducted in 35 overweight or obese patients with dyslipidemia. The sample was divided into three groups with a daily intake of 30 g of dietary fiber: Group I received 5 g of dehydrated Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes plus the standard normocaloric diet for dyslipidemia, Group II received 15 g plus the diet, and Group III followed only the diet.

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight Body Weight Dyslipidemia Dyslipidemias Lipid Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Autonomous University of Queretaro

Juriquilla, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Participants with dyslipidemia, confirmed by lipid meas-urement in blood chemistry
overweight or obesity
A cardiovascular risk factor associated with abdominal obesity

Exclusion criteria

Patients with a suspected diagnosis of primary dyslipidemia
Diabetes
Hypertension
Thyroid disease were excluded from the study
Patients with complex or severe disease such as heart failure, liver or kidney disease
Pregnant or lactating women
Indidividuals taking lipid-modifying drugs or hormone replacement therapy - Patients with gastrointestinal problems and deficiencies

Treatment and study plan

supplementation with 5 g dehydrated nopal powder from highly mature cladodes

Dietary Supplement

Group I received 5 g of dehydrated Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes plus the standard normocaloric diet for dyslipidemia.

supplementation with 15 g dehydrated nopal powder from highly mature cladodes

Dietary Supplement

Group II received 15 g plus the diet, and Group III followed only the diet.

Control Group (only diet)

Other

No dehydrated nopal or placebo. Diet: 30 g of fiber per day Normocaloric diet Carbohydrates 55%, Lipids 25% and Proteins 20%

Primary outcomes

Blood lipid levels

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

A blood sample (3 ml) was taken from the patients after fasting for 12 hours, then prepared for subsequent analysis by an enzymatic method. The Clinical 50 VWR cen-trifuge ® was used for sample preparation and the Roche Cobas C 111 ® kit for lipid analysis of the samples. These analyses were performed in duplicate. Comparison of supplementation with dehydrated nopal powder from highly mature cladodes, by group, in initial and final values of the lipid profile: Total cholesterol; LDL, Low-density lipoproteins; HDL, High-density lipoproteins; TGL, Tri-glycerides.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Intake of Dehydrated Nopal Powder From Highly Mature Cladodes (Opuntia Ficus-indica) on the Lipid Profile of Overweight or Obese Adults. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Important dates

Study start: 2018
Primary completion: 2018
Study completion: 2019
First posted: Jun 13, 2025
Registry last updated: Jun 13, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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