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Siddiqui SA, Li C, Aidoo OF, Fernando I, Haddad MA, Pereira JA, Blinov A, Golik A, Câmara JS. Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes - A comprehensive review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15938. [PMID: 37206028 PMCID: PMC10189416 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomotherapy, the use of insects for medicinal purposes, has been practised for centuries in many countries around the world. More than 2100 edible insect species are eaten by humans, but little is known about the possibility of using these insects as a promising alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for treating diseases. This review offers a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic applications of insects and how they might be used in medicine. In this review, 235 insect species from 15 orders are reported to be used as medicine. Hymenoptera contains the largest medicinal insect species, followed by Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Blattodea. Scientists have examined and validated the potential uses of insects along with their products and by-products in treating various diseases, and records show that they are primarily used to treat digestive and skin disorders. Insects are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds, explaining their therapeutic features such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and so on. Challenges associated with the consumption of insects (entomophagy) and their therapeutic uses include regulation barriers and consumer acceptance. Moreover, the overexploitation of medicinal insects in their natural habitat has led to a population crisis, thus necessitating the investigation and development of their mass-rearing procedure. Lastly, this review suggests potential directions for developing insects used in medicine and offers advice for scientists interested in entomotherapy. In future, entomotherapy may become a sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating various ailments and has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), Prof.-von-Klitzing Str. 7, 49610 D-Quakenbrück, Germany
- Corresponding author. Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany.
| | - Chujun Li
- Guangzhou Unique Biotechnology Co., Ltd, 510663, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Owusu Fordjour Aidoo
- Department of Biological, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, 00233, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Ito Fernando
- Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Moawiya A. Haddad
- Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, 19117, Al-Salt, Jordan
| | - Jorge A.M. Pereira
- CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Andrey Blinov
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Street 1, 355009, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Andrey Golik
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Street 1, 355009, Stavropol, Russia
| | - José S. Câmara
- CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Engenharia, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Corresponding author. CQM – Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal.
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Liu R, Liao XY, Tang JC, Pan MX, Chen SF, Lu PX, Lu LJ, Zhang ZF, Zou YY, Bu LH, Qin XP, Wan Q. BpV(pic) confers neuroprotection by inhibiting M1 microglial polarization and MCP-1 expression in rat traumatic brain injury. Mol Immunol 2019; 112:30-39. [PMID: 31075560 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of motor and cognitive impairment in young adults. It is associated with high mortality rates and very few effective treatment options. Bisperoxovanadium (pyridine-2-carboxyl) [bpV(pic)] is an commercially available inhibitor of Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Previous studies have shown that bpV(pic) has protective effects in central nervous system. However, the role of bpV(pic) in TBI is unclear. In this study we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of bpV(pic) in rat TBI model. We found that injection of bpV(pic) significantly reduces brain edema and neurological dysfunction after TBI and this is mediated by AKT pathway. TBI is known to promote the M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype of microglial polarization and this effect is inhibited by bpV(pic) treatment which, instead promotes M2 microglial polarization in vivo and in vitro. We also found evidence of bpV(pic)-regulated neuroinflammation mediated by AKT activation and NF-κB p65 inhibition. BpV(pic) treatment also suppressed microglia in the peri-TBI region. MCP-1 is known to recruit monocytes and macrophages to promote inflammation, we show that bpV(pic) can inhibit TBI-induced up-regulation of MCP-1 via the AKT/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that bpV(pic) plays a neuroprotective role in rat TBI, which may be achieved by inhibiting M1 microglia polarization and MCP-1 expression by modulating AKT/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China; Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Xin-Yu Liao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jun-Chun Tang
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Meng-Xian Pan
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Song-Feng Chen
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Pei-Xin Lu
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Long J Lu
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Zhi-Feng Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Ying-Ying Zou
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Li-Hong Bu
- PET-CT/MRI Center & Molecular Imaging Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuchang district, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China.
| | - Xing-Ping Qin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China.
| | - Qi Wan
- Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neurosurgery of the Affiliated Hospital, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Street, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Su J, Yan Y, Qu J, Xue X, Liu Z, Cai H. Emodin induces apoptosis of lung cancer cells through ER stress and the TRIB3/NF-κB pathway. Oncol Rep 2017; 37:1565-1572. [PMID: 28184934 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Emodin is a phytochemical with potent anticancer activities against various human malignant cancer types, including lung cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of emodin remain unclear. In the present study, the A549 and H1299 human non-small lung cancer cell lines were treated with emodin and the induced molecular effects were investigated. Changes in cell viability were evaluated by MTT assay, Hoechst staining was used to indicate the apoptotic cells, and western blotting was utilized to assess endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and signaling changes. RNA interference was also employed to further examine the role of tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) in the emodin-induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Emodin was found to reduce the viability of lung cancer cells and induce apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Emodin-induced apoptosis was impaired by inhibition of ER stress using 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA). ER stress and TRIB3/nuclear factor-κB signaling was activated in emodin-treated lung cancer cells. Emodin-induced apoptosis was reduced by TRIB3 knockdown in A549 cells, whereas ER stress was not reduced. In vivo assays verified the significance of these results, revealing that emodin inhibited lung cancer growth and that the inhibitory effects were reduced by inhibition of ER stress with 4-PBA. In conclusion, the results suggest that TRIB3 signaling is associated with emodin-induced ER stress-mediated apoptosis in lung cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Su
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yan Yan
- The Second Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Jingkun Qu
- The Second Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xuewen Xue
- Department of Surgery, Xi'an Feng Cheng Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Zi Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
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Zhang X, Wang Y, Wang J, Sun F. Protein-protein interactions among signaling pathways may become new therapeutic targets in liver cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2015; 35:625-38. [PMID: 26717966 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous signaling pathways have been shown to be dysregulated in liver cancer. In addition, some protein-protein interactions are prerequisite for the uncontrolled activation or inhibition of these signaling pathways. For instance, in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, protein AKT binds with a number of proteins such as mTOR, FOXO1 and MDM2 to play an oncogenic role in liver cancer. The aim of the present review was to focus on a series of important protein-protein interactions that can serve as potential therapeutic targets in liver cancer among certain important pro-carcinogenic signaling pathways. The strategies of how to investigate and analyze the protein-protein interactions are also included in this review. A survey of these protein interactions may provide alternative therapeutic targets in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Yulan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Jiayi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Fenyong Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
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