Nopal Extract distributor in Korea (COTEXS) took a particularly active interest in this exploratory work. Through the cooperation of a network of pharmacists in Korea, COTEXS identified and provided samples of Nopal Extract to 3 individuals who had been informed by their physicians that they had exhausted all medical means short of amputation for treating their diabetes-related lower extremity problems and that their condition was not improving. Subsequently, each of these individuals had refused amputations and had ceased taking antibiotics and other medications prescribed specifically for their lower extremity conditions, at the time they began using Nopal Extract provided to them by their pharmacist through COTEXS. The results were as follows for the time periods indicated.
Case #1:
A Korean male, age 60, with history of diabetes, presenting with open foot ulceration and evidence of dry gangrene. The photos below show before and after results after a dosage of 2 ounces of Nopal Extract per day from January 10, 2007 thru March 14, 2007 (63 days).

Case #2:
A Korean female, age 56, with history of diabetes, presenting with open toe ulceration with evidence of dry gangrene. The photos below show before and after results after a dosage of 2 ounces of Nopal Extract per day from May 28, 2007 thru June 14, 2007 (18 days).

Case #3:
A Korean male, age 61, with history of diabetes, presenting with inflammation of the right leg and foot with evidence of subcutaneous soft tissue infection. The photos below show before and after results after a dosage of 2 ounces of Nopal Extract per day from September 1, 2006 thru September 19, 2006 (19 days).

How Does Nopalamine Work?
Based upon these observations, Mr. Shin became firmly convinced that the Nopal Extract has an observable effect on mitigating underlying pathological conditions that would ordinarily result in a lower extremity amputation. Accordingly, an effort was commenced to investigate the scientific basis of possible underlying mechanisms whereby the observed effects, resulting in avoidance of a lower extremity amputation, were potentially caused or supported by the Nopal Extract.
As indicated above in the discussion of the pathological conditions that immediately precede a decision or diagnosis to amputate, it was noted that the core issues that in theory must be addressed in preventing the necessity for and current medical practice of performing LEAs among diabetics are the presence, generally in advanced stages, of (1) peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or (2) peripheral neuropathy (PN) and/or (3) infection. These conditions, singularly or in combination, are said to be the precedent “harbingers” of approximately 82,000 lower extremity amputations performed among diabetics in the United States each year. [6, 7 and 8] Consequently, it is theorized that any alternative to amputation must potentially be able to effectively deal with late-stage effects of the three pathological conditions noted and, as corollary; the need to effectively control blood glucose level because of its role in promoting continuing and progressive deterioration and dysfunction of the circulatory, neural and immune systems in general as well as in the lower extremities. [22]
A starting point for explaining the observed improvement in the pathological conditions underlying DVED following the use of Nopal Extract noted in the case examples discussed above, would be that the Nopal Extract used by these individuals must contain phytochemicals that have biological activities that would serve to positively impact certain of the underlying pathological conditions that would ordinarily result in a lower extremity amputation.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) division of USDA maintains a database of phytochemicals found in a wide range of botanicals together with their indicated “biological activity” characteristics. The ARS database is titled “Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database” [30]. Some examples of biological activities included in the ARS phytochemical database that appear to be relevant to DVED in terms of mitigating the effects of its underlying pathological conditions (PAD, PN and infection) are: “angiogenic” (promotes growth of new blood vessel and lymphatic tissue), “vasodilator” (promotes blood circulation), and “immuno- stimulant” (promotes immune system response to infection).
The USDA/ARS provides online access to Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. The following chart is a listing of Biological Activities considered most relevant to DVED and the phytochemicals found in raw Nopal that promote each activity listed.

Below is a complete scientific study about diabetes and amputation, page 11~12 are a must see!

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