Safety evaluation of Plukenetia volubilis seeds: a metabolomic profiling and network toxicology approach

• Published in: RSC advances 2024-09, Vol.14 (40), p.29319-29329
• Main Authors: Le, Vinh-Tuyen T, Huynh, Thanh Hao, Chen, Lo-Yun, Praristiya, Muhammad Riki Shindi, Lin, Hung-Yu, Lai, Kuei-Hung, Lee, Ya-Lin, Chen, Lih-Geeng, Wang, Ching-Chiung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaloids; Amino acids; Chemical composition; Chemistry; Composition effects; Cytotoxicity; Metabolites; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pyridines; Saponins; Toxicity; Toxicology
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03767g

Sacha Inchi ( ) seeds and oil have been integrated into daily diets. However, scientific reports have raised concerns regarding potential health risks associated with saponins and alkaloids in this seeds. This study employed a combination analysis using proton-NMR, GC-MS, LC-QTOF, and GNPS molecular networking to evaluate the chemical composition of these seeds. toxicology analysis and cytotoxicity assays were conducted to investigate the potential toxicity effects of Sacha Inchi seeds and their contained metabolites. The results revealed that major components of these seeds are oils (linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids) and sugars, with minor amounts of phytosterols and trigonelline, a pyridine alkaloid. GNPS analysis suggested the absence of saponins, instead, it identified trigonelline and a few other nitrogen-containing metabolites (amino acids and oligopeptides). toxicology analysis indicated that this sample did not exhibit toxicity. Furthermore, cytotoxicity screening demonstrated no cytotoxic effects against NIH-3T3 cells, even at 400 μg mL . In general, these findings collectively indicated the absence of saponins, the presence of phytosterols and trigonellin (a pyridine alkaloid), and a low safety risk related to saponin and alkaloid content in the Sacha Inchi seeds.