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

Abstract

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.

The Review of Cooking, Drying, and Green Extraction Methods on General Nutritional Properties of Mealworms and Locusts

“…These were performed using an optimal time and correct sequential enzymatic hydrolysis to release the α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides (antidiabetic peptides) as well as to avoid low bioactivity. Mealworm larvae extract has been demonstrated to possess antiproliferative (therefore anticancer) properties against Caco-2 and HepG2 cells before (Ding et al, 2021 ). It is hypothesized that the presence of a myriad of amino acids in mealworms, such as carnosine, sulfur- and hydrophobic-amino acids, may contribute to this effect as mysore thorn borer aqueous extract did not exhibit a similar outcome due to a much inferior amino acids profile in comparison to mealworms.…”

Revisiting edible insects as sources of therapeutics and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

“…MWL extract showed cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer (PC-3 and 22Rv1), cervical carcinoma (HeLa), hepato-carcinoma (PLC/PRF5, HepG2, Hep3B, and SK-HEP-1), colon (HCT116), lung (NCI-H460), breast cancer (MDA-MB231), and ovarian cancer (SKOV3) cell lines by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy (Lee et al, 2015). Aqueous extract of MWL and Anoplophora chinensis showed antiinflammatory activity against the colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2, and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, and induced apoptosis by upregulating death receptor and caspase 3 expression (Ding et al, 2021). In vivo studies indicate that the larvae and pupae extract of MWL showed anti-proliferative activity against early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while the adult insect extract did not produce any significant changes (Zepeda-Bastida et al, 2021).…”

Five Surfaces Treated with d-Tetramethrin plus Acetamiprid for the Management of Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus: Which Is the Best?

“…Apart from human nutrition, this species is used as feed for a plethora of organisms such as fish, reptiles, birds, and crustaceans [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. In addition, recent studies revealed that T. molitor extracts display antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antifreeze, antithrombotic, preservative, and healing properties [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”