Observing Effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) on Glucose using Fluorescence and Absorbance Assays

Students: Kamsiyochukwu Onwuazombe, Alondra Sanchez Guadalupe

Faculty Mentor: Monica Lares

Chemistry

College of Science, Technology, and Business

As the number of diabetic individuals rises in the U.S., the need for more accessible treatment grows. The prickly cactus plant, known as Nopales in its native country of Mexico, is a more obtainable means for regulating blood sugar compared to insulin. Nopales, or Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), is used as a natural remedy for high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients due to its hypoglycemic effect. While OFI has been proven to regulate blood sugar levels, the exact mechanism is unknown. Our research group is focused on understanding the mechanism behind this hypoglycemic effect. It is theorized that OFI lowers blood sugar levels by increasing the uptake of glucose or inhibiting the use of glucose. A fluorescence assay was performed to quantify the effect of OFI on glucose uptake using the fluorescent glucose analog 2-NBDG in RPE-1 cells. A glucose absorbance assay was also performed to analyze the dose-dependent effect of OFI on glucose levels. It was determined that OFI had a dose-dependent effect on glucose concentrations. The fluorescence assay will be performed in the future with the same glucose analog and myoblast C2C12 cells.