Antiproliferative effects of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) aqueous extract on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cancer cell lines.

Recently, insects have aroused the interest of researchers as potential therapeutic resources against malignant diseases such as cancer. In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts from mysore thorn borer (MTB) (Anoplophora chinensis) and mealworm larvae (MWL) (Tenebrio molitor) against cancer cells were investigated. MWL aqueous extract showed higher antiproliferative effects against Caco-2 and HepG2 cells compared to MTB. The IC50 (48 hr) of MWL aqueous extract were 11.44 and 20 mg/ml for Caco-2 and HepG2 respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that MWL aqueous extract induced apoptosis in Caco-2 and HepG2 increasing from 2.06% to 74.34% and from 0.04% to 42.14% after 24 hr respectively. Caspase activity assay showed that apoptosis was mediated via death receptor pathway mediated by caspase-8 and -9 followed by the activation of caspase-3; caspase-3 may have induced DNA damage and cell death. These effects may be correlated to its free amino acids. The results of this study demonstrate the potentials of MWL in the development of natural anticancer therapeutics in the future. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Natural nutraceuticals from insects might be useful for the treatment and prevention of cancers such as colorectal and liver cancer. In recent years, edible insects have caught the attention of researchers, because of their potential as an alternative source of food and nutraceuticals. The results of our study showed that MWL extract might provide important anticancer compounds against colon and liver cancer.

In situ monitoring of grape seed protein hydrolysis by Raman spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the enzymatic hydrolysis process of grape seed protein. The degree of hydrolysis (DH), IC50 of the ACE inhibitory activity, and peptide content of the digestive products of grape seed protein were analyzed offline. The partial least squares (PLS), interval partial least squares (IPLS), and joint interval partial least squares (Si-PLS) models of DH, IC50 , and peptide content were established and the optimal pretreatment method was selected. In the optimal model, the corrected model r of the grape seed protein hydrolysis degree is 0.997, the Root Mean Square Error of Cross Validation (RMSECV) is 0.507%. The predicted model r value is 0.9932, the Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP) is 1.15%. The corrected model r value of the IC50 is 0.9965, the RMSECV is 11.9%. The r value and RMSEP of predicted model are 0.9978 and 9.64%. The corrected model r value of the peptide content is 0.9955, the RMSECV is 12.7%, the predicted model r value is 0.9953, and the RMSEP is 15.4%. These results showed that in situ real-time monitoring of grape seed protein hydrolysis process can be achieved by Raman spectroscopy. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study uses Raman spectroscopy method to establish the quantification of proteolysis, IC50, and peptide content of the simulated digestive products during grape seed proteolysis. Analyze the model to monitor and evaluate the target parameters during the entire grape seed proteolysis process. In situ real-time monitoring of grape seed proteolysis is of great significance to the entire grape seed active peptide industry.

Chinese Propolis: Ultrasound-assisted enhanced ethanolic extraction, volatile components analysis, antioxidant and antibacterial activity comparison.

This study was aimed to enhance the extraction yield of propolis samples using ultrasound technology, analyze the volatile compounds, and compare the antioxidant and antimicrobial effect of propolis extracts of different areas. Four propolis samples were collected from different regions of China, namely: Linqing, Shandong Province (LSP); Yingchun, Heilongjiang Province (YHP); Changge, Henan Province (CHP); and Raohe, Heilongjiang Province (RHP). The ultrasound extracts of CHP and RHP showed a higher total phenolic content (TPC) of 201.78 ± 4.60 mgGAE/g and 166.071 ± 1.53 mgGAE/g, total flavonoid content (TFC) of 519.77 ± 29.90 and 341.227 ± 10.82 mg quercetin/g respectively, as well as high antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Conventional extraction showed 15%-20% lower yield for TPC ranging from 72.02 ± 1.99 to 155.95 ± 3.69 mg GAE/g, TFC ranges from 129.675 ± 6.82 to 412.83 ± 12.14 mg quercetin/g, with lower antibacterial activity. The antioxidant activity of propolis extracts was determined by assays of reducing power, DPPH*, FRAP*, TEAC*, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide anion scavenging activity. Collectively, the antioxidant activities of extracts from CHP and RHP were higher than those of the other two extracts(YHP and LSP). All the extracts showed high antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus subtilis, but no effect on Escherichia coli. A total of 150 compounds in propolis were detected by GC/MS. Terpenes (RHP 34%, YHP 5%, LSP 18%, and CHP 12%) and alcohols (RHP 12%, YHP 13%, LSP 12%, and CHP 10%) showed the highest relative content among all other extracts.

Comparison of the nutritional value of mysore thorn borer (Anoplophora chinensis) and mealworm larva (Tenebrio molitor): Amino acid, fatty acid, and element profiles.

There is increasing interest in using insects as an alternative nutrient source and Mysore thorn borer (MTB) (Anoplophora chinensis) might have nutritional and functional relevance for humans. The nutritional composition of MTB (amino acids, fatty acids, and elements profiles) was examined and compared with mealworm larva (MWL) (Tenebrio molitor). MTB was found to contain 19 amino acids, including all essential amino acids. A total of 16 fatty acids were detected including polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g. α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid). Moreover, MTB had a low n - 6/n - 3 ratio and contained some essential elements, such as iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. These results demonstrated that MTB might be a potential source of nutritional compounds for human consumption.

Caspase 3-mediated cytotoxicity of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) oil extract against human hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mealworm larvae (MWL) (Tenebrio molitor) have been traditionally used in Asian countries for the treatment of liver diseases, including cancer. However, to date, there is marginal information on the mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of MWL oil. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to determine the in vitro effect of MWL oil on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells growth in order to produce insect-derived chemotherapeutic agents against cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MWL oil was extracted, and its effects on cancer cells growth were investigated, by the MTT reduction, AO/EB staining, Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining, apoptosis, comet, and caspase activity assays. RESULTS: MWL oil inhibited HepG2 and Caco-2 growth, with IC50 (48 h) values of 0.98% for HepG2 and 0.37% for Caco-2 cells. In addition, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 24 h-MWL oil treatment increased early and late apoptosis from 0.04% to 39.77% and from 2.06% to 74.34% on HepG2 and Caco-2 cells, respectively. The mechanism of apoptosis was associated with the death receptor pathway by the activation of caspases -8, -9, and -3, and correlated to its fatty acids action. CONCLUSION: Results of this study demonstrated the potential of MWL oil in the development of natural anticancer therapeutic agents.