Traditional Uses, Origins, Chemistry and Pharmacology of Bombyx batryticatus: A Review

Abstract

Bombyx batryticatus (B. batryticatus), a well-known traditional animal Chinese medicine, has been commonly used in China for thousands of years. The present paper reviewed advances in traditional uses, origin, chemical constituents, pharmacology and toxicity studies of B. batryticatus. The aim of the paper is to provide more comprehensive references for modern B. batryticatus study and application. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) culture, drugs containing B. batryticatus have been used to treat convulsions, headaches, skin prurigo, scrofula, tonsillitis and fever. Many studies indicate B. batryticatus contains various compounds, including protein and peptides, fatty acids, flavonoids, nucleosides, steroids, coumarin, polysaccharide and others. Numerous investigations also have shown that extracts and compounds from B. batryticatus exert a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects both in vivo and in vitro, including effects on the nervous system, anticoagulant effects, antitumor effects, antibacterial and antifungal effects, antioxidant effects, hypoglycemic effects, as well as other effects. However, further studies should be undertaken to investigate bioactive compounds (especially proteins and peptides), toxic constituents, using forms and the quality evaluation and control of B. batryticatus. Furthermore, it will be interesting to study the mechanism of biological activities and structure-function relationships of bioactive constituents in B. batryticatus.

Edible insects as a food source: a review

“…It has been proven to possess multi-pharmacologic functions including anti-convulsion, anticoagulation, hypnogenesis, anti-fugus, anticancer and hypolipidemic. The active constituents extracted from it, including polysaccharides, flavones and beauvericin have been developed into modern medicine targeting corresponding diseases (Hu et al 2017;Wu et al 2015). The medical potential of many other reared insects have been demonstrated, including several cases of antioxidants extracted from different groups of insects (Atkinson et al 1973;Feng and Chen 2009;Zielinska et al 2017).…”

Silk Fibroin Promotes the Regeneration of Pancreatic β-Cells in the C57BL/KsJ-Leprdb/db Mouse

“…For example, the leaves, dried plants, roots, fruits, animal, and insect-derived products have been used for anti-diabetic remedies in Oriental medicine. Notably, silk-related materials, including silkworm and cocoon extracts, have been used for treating T2DM [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Silk fibroin (SF) is a major component of silk, and SF is a core silk protein composed of 18 different kinds of natural amino acids.…”

Batryticatus Bombyx Protects Dopaminergic Neurons against MPTP-Induced Neurotoxicity by Inhibiting Oxidative Damage

“…BB, and was originally described in the Chung-bu, category of Dongui-Bogam, an ancient Korean medical book [7]. BB exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anticonvulsant, antiepileptic, and neurotrophic, anticoagulant, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects [7]. Further, BB contains different proteins, peptides, fatty acids, flavonoids, nucleosides, steroids, coumarin, and polysaccharides [7].…”

“…BB exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anticonvulsant, antiepileptic, and neurotrophic, anticoagulant, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects [7]. Further, BB contains different proteins, peptides, fatty acids, flavonoids, nucleosides, steroids, coumarin, and polysaccharides [7]. Moreover, BB has recently been shown to exhibit neuroprotective and anti-necrotic effects in pyramidal neurons, neurotrophic (upregulation of nerve growth factor) and anti-oxidative (upregulation of superoxide dismutase, SOD) effects in astrocytes, and antiapoptotic effects (inhibition of lipid peroxidation) in hippocampal neurons [7][8][9].…”

“…Further, BB contains different proteins, peptides, fatty acids, flavonoids, nucleosides, steroids, coumarin, and polysaccharides [7]. Moreover, BB has recently been shown to exhibit neuroprotective and anti-necrotic effects in pyramidal neurons, neurotrophic (upregulation of nerve growth factor) and anti-oxidative (upregulation of superoxide dismutase, SOD) effects in astrocytes, and antiapoptotic effects (inhibition of lipid peroxidation) in hippocampal neurons [7][8][9]. Recently, Hu et al reported that BB exerts neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic effects against pentylenetetrazole-or H 2 O 2 -induced epileptic neurotoxicity via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways [10].…”