Evaluation of in vitro biocompatibility of tropical tasar (Antheraea mylitta) pupal oil using normal mammalian cell lines

Tropical tasar pupal oil (TTPO), extracted from Antheraea mylitta pupae, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable source of nutritionally valuable lipids due to its high content of bioactive unsaturated fatty acids and potential health-promoting properties. Before its application in food, nutraceutical, or pharmaceutical products, evaluation of its biological safety is essential. This study aimed to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of TTPO in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and human liver epithelial cells (THLE-2) through the MTT assay. The results demonstrated that TTPO exhibited negligible cytotoxicity toward both cell lines, with no significant reduction in cell viability, indicating excellent cytocompatibility and no adverse effects under the experimental conditions. These findings suggest that TTPO is biologically safe for normal mammalian cells and support its further development as a functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical formulation. Nevertheless, comprehensive in vivo toxicity studies and long-term safety assessments are required to further validate its safety and facilitate its future commercial applications. Keywords: Antheraea mylitta, normal cell lines, cytotoxicity, in vitro, tasar pupal oil