Phytochemical Characterization of Freeze-Dried Stenocereus stellatus Seeds and Their Antihyperglycemic Activity in Experimental Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by progressive impairment of glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to expand the phytochemical profile of freeze-dried Stenocereus stellatus (red tunillo) seeds and evaluate their antihyperglycemic activity in experimental models of prediabetes (PDB) and T2D. Results: Phytochemical screening and UPLC-QTOF-MSE revealed a chemically diverse profile. Six chromatographic features were putatively annotated on the basis of accurate mass, elemental composition, isotopic pattern, and high-energy data; the confidence of these annotations varied among features because authentic standards were not analyzed. Fourteen-day oral administration of freeze-dried seeds reduced blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in prediabetic rats. In T2D rats, treatment reduced hyperglycemia and enhanced the glucose-lowering response to exogenous insulin, although the overall glucose excursion during the OGTT was not significantly improved. Methods: Female rats with PDB and male rats with T2D were fed freeze-dried S. stellatus seeds at 100 and 200 mg kg−1, respectively, for 14 consecutive days. Conclusions: Freeze-dried S. stellatus seeds showed antihyperglycemic activity in both experimental models. Further quantitative, mechanistic, and long-term studies are required to define the contribution of individual metabolites and assess translational relevance.