Acute and Subacute Toxicity and Cytotoxicity of Opuntia Dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw. Seed Oil and Its Impact on the Isolated Rat Diaphragm Glucose Absorption

Abstract

This study aims to assess the safety of the Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) haw. seed oil (ODSO) and its effect on the glucose absorption activity of the isolated rat hemidiaphragm. This oil’s safety was studied by exploring its acute (doses 1, 3, 5, and 7 mL/kg) and subacute (doses 1 and 2 mL/kg) toxicities in albino mice and Wistar rats, respectively. The safety of the ODSO was also assessed by studying its effect on the HepG2 cell viability in vitro. The effect of ODSO, or combined with the insulin, on the glucose absorption activity of isolated rat hemidiaphragm was evaluated at the dose 1 g/L in vitro. The results demonstrated the safety of ODSO. Indeed, this study showed that this oil does not produce any mortality or signs of toxicity after the single-dose administration in mice. Additionally, the daily intake of the ODSO during four weeks does not induce a significant variation in the biochemical parameters and body weight of rats compared with the control group. Besides, the cell viability of HepG2 did not change in the presence of ODSO. On the other hand, the ODSO increased the glucose absorption activity of the isolated rat hemidiaphragm, and this activity was significantly enhanced when combined with insulin. This study confirms, on one side, the safety of this oil and its efficacy and, on the other side, encourages its potential use as a complement to treat diabetes.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Opuntia dillenii Haw Fruit in a Mice Model of Lung Cancer

“…It also discussed the molecular mechanism underlying cytotoxicity, which involves a complex series of events, including cell cycle arrest, the formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, exposure to phosphatidylserine, and mitochondrial dysfunction. 17 Another study investigating the protective effects of cactus seed oil on gentamicin-induced renal toxicity demonstrated that the cactus seed oil extract had no significant effect on weight changes in study groups, 11 which conforms to the results of the present study.…”

Phytochemistry and biological activities of Opuntia seed oils: Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw. and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. A review

“…Additionally, the daily intake of the O. dillenii seed oil during four weeks does not induce a significant variation in the biochemical parameters and the body weight of rats while compared with the control group. Besides, the cell viability of HepG2 did not change in the presence of O. dillenii seed oil [59].…”