Allomyrina dichotoma (Arthropoda: Insecta) Larvae Confer Resistance to Obesity in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Abstract

To clarify the anti-obesity effect of Allomyrina dichotoma larvae (ADL), we previously reported that ADL block adipocyte differentiation on 3T3-L1 cell lines through downregulation of transcription factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARG) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (CEBPA). In this study, we tested whether ADL prevent obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and further investigated the mechanism underlying the effects of ADL. All mice were maintained on a normal-fat diet (NFD) for 1 week and then assigned to one of five treatment groups: (1) NFD; (2) HFD; (3) HFD and 100 mg·kg−1·day−1 ADL; (4) HFD and 3000 mg·kg−1·day−1ADL; or (5) HFD and 3000 mg·kg−1·day−1 yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis, positive control). ADL and yerba mate were administered orally daily. Mice were fed experimental diets and body weight was monitored weekly for 6 weeks. Our results indicated that ADL reduced body weight gain, organ weight and adipose tissue volume in a dose-dependent manner. Body weight gain was approximately 22.4% lower compared to mice fed only HFD, but the difference did not reach the level of statistical significance. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that gene expression levels of PPARG, CEBPA and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the epididymal fat tissue of HFD-fed mice receiving 3000 mg·kg−1·day−1 ADL were reduced by 12.4-, 25.7-, and 12.3-fold, respectively, compared to mice fed HFD only. Moreover, mice administered ADL had lower serum levels of triglycerides and leptin than HFD-fed mice that did not receive ADL. Taken together our results suggest that ADL and its constituent bioactive compounds hold potential for the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Tenebrio molitor Larvae Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK and MAPKs Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

“…There has been an interest in developing effective bioactive products using beetles for health supplements or functional foods because of their nutrient components such as unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, fiber, and minerals [11,32,33]. Recently, it was reported that Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (PBL) or Allomyrinal dichotoma larvae (ADL) have antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-neoplastic, and antiobesity properties [11,20,22,34]. In particular, ADL inhibited the differentiation of adipocytes through the downregulation of adipogenic or lipogenic transcription factors [11,22].…”

“…Recently, it was reported that Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (PBL) or Allomyrinal dichotoma larvae (ADL) have antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-neoplastic, and antiobesity properties [11,20,22,34]. In particular, ADL inhibited the differentiation of adipocytes through the downregulation of adipogenic or lipogenic transcription factors [11,22]. In addition, central administration of an ethanol extract of ADL reduced food intake and body weight through the regulation of appetite-related neuropeptides in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice [23].…”

“…Many researchers have reported the presence of natural bioactive substances in a variety of sources such as plants, marine algae, and insects [1,8,9,10,11,12]. For example, plant extracts including polyphenols, resveratrol, curcumin, and proanthocyanidins, have become increasingly popular in the past decades for their anti-adipogenic properties [1,13,14].…”

“…In our previous work, we reported that oral administration of another insect, Allomyrinal dichotoma , inhibits the differentiation of adipocytes in vitro and in vivo [11,22]. Furthermore, intracerebroventriular (ICV) administration of an ethanol extract of Allomyrinal dichotoma larvae (ADL) reduces food intake and body weight via the regulation of appetite-related neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related protein (AgRP), and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice [23].…”

Establishment of a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification system for on‐site diagnosis of Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus in Allomyrina dichotoma (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

“…The Korean horn beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma (Linné 1771) is one of the major insects whose larvae have been consumed as traditional oriental medicine for liver disease and diabetes for a long time. Moreover, it has been reported that extracts from A. dichotoma larvae offer various biological benefits such as antibacterial (Niu et al 2016;Koyama et al 2006;Sagisaka et al 2001), anti-Alzheimer's disease (Kim et al 2014), anti-obesity (Kim et al 2016;Yoon et al 2015;Chung et al 2014), and antioxidant effects (Suh et al 2010).…”