Antidiabetic and Toxicological Evaluation of Ostodes Pauciflora merr. Seed (kop nut) Oil, A Potential Functional Food Alternative

Background: Ostodes pauciflora Merr, an indigenous seed from Borneo, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, known for its pharmacological properties. While previous studies have explored its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, the seed's potential antidiabetic effects remain unexamined. This study investigates the toxicity and antidiabetic properties of O. pauciflora seed oil, focusing on its fatty acid extracts. Methods: The study employed both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Toxicity was assessed using a brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) and acute toxicity testing following OECD Guideline 425. The antidiabetic potential was evaluated through an α-amylase inhibition assay and an acute diabetic model in Sprague Dawley rats. The in vivo study involved high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats treated with varying doses of fatty acid extracts from O. pauciflora seed (FAOPS). Fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels were measured at multiple time points post-treatment. Results: FAOPS exhibited significant α-amylase inhibitory activity, with petroleum ether extract showing the highest inhibition (67.46±0.07%). Acute toxicity testing indicated no lethal effects up to 2000 mg/kg. In diabetic rats, FAOPS administration significantly reduced blood glucose levels within 24 hours, demonstrating dose-dependent effects comparable to metformin. Conclusion: O. pauciflora seed oil shows promising antidiabetic potential with no observed acute toxicity. These findings support its potential as a functional food ingredient for diabetes management, warranting further investigation into its long-term efficacy and mechanism of action.