• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.266-269
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• 2017

This objectives of this study were to assess the pH and titratable acid (TA) and conduct sensory evaluation of the high-protein yogurt supplemented with Oxya chinensis sinuosa (grasshopper). High-protein yogurt containing Oxya chinensis sinuosa powder displayed TA of 0.93% to 1.1%, and a pH of 4.3 or 4.4. There were no significant differences between the control and treated groups in pH and TA. Organoleptic evaluations revealed that, except for color and texture, taste, flavor, and overall acceptability showed decreased trends in proportion to the amount of Oxya chinensis sinuosa powder. Further studies will explore the potential of Oxya chinensis sinuosa powder as a protein with health benefits for humans.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2023

In recent years, the number of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that commonly occurs in elderly men, has increased due to aging and the adoption of western dietary habits. Treatment with chemical drugs, such as finasteride or dutasteride, can cause side effects such as erectile dysfunction or sexual problems. This necessitates the development of remedies using natural substances derived from food ingredients. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Oxya chinensis sinuosa hot water extract (OCH) on BPH production in LNCaP cells, a hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell line. We found that the mRNA expression of androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and, 5α-reductases 1, and 2 decreased following treatment with OCH. Furthermore, OCH treatment resulted in reduced protein expression of BPH regulators, such as AR. Collectively, these results suggest that OCH exerts a beneficial effect on BPH by inhibiting the AR signaling pathway, indicating the potential of OCH as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of BPH.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2023

The human eye, constantly exposed to solar radiation, can be damaged by UV radiation. In particular, ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage plays an important role in retinal degeneration and cell aging. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of the methanol extract of Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OCM), an edible insect known for its high protein content (64.2%), and various pharmacological effects, on human retinal pigment epithelial cells. ARPE-19 cells were treated with OCM and subsequently UVB irradiated. Our results showed that OCM effectively attenuates UVB-induced cell damage by reducing MAPK phosphorylation (JNK and p38 MAPK). Additionally, OCM increased the phosphorylation of Akt, and cell cycle regulators, including p21 and p27, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, OCM treatment increased ARPE-19 cell proliferation by activating the S6K1/S6 pathway. This study suggests that OCM prevents UVB-induced retinal cell damage by increasing cell proliferation via ROS reduction, suggesting its potential as a functional therapeutic superfood against retinal cell damage.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2024

The rice field grasshopper, Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC), has traditionally been utilized in Korea for various purposes; however, its potential benefits in the context of osteoporosis remain unclear. The results revealed that OC ethanol extract (OCE) significantly inhibited the formation and activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, OCE, at concentrations ranging from 100 to 400 ㎍/mL, demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in the protein expression of osteoclast-specific markers, including nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1, c-Src, and TRAP, when compared to RANKL stimulation alone. Additionally, OCE significantly inhibited RANKL-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Collectively, these results indicate that OCE suppresses osteoclastogenesis by attenuating the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Consequently, these findings suggest that OCE holds promise for the prevention of osteoporosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1863-1870
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• 2016

Antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) are present in all types of organisms, from microbes and plants to vertebrates and invertebrates such as insects. The grasshopper Oxya chinensis sinuosa is an insect species that is widely consumed around the world for its broad medicinal value. However, the lack of available genetic information for this species is an obstacle to understanding the full potential of its AMPs. Analysis of the O. chinensis sinuosa transcriptome and expression profile is essential for extending the available genetic information resources. In this study, we determined the whole-body transcriptome of O. chinensis sinuosa and analyzed the potential AMPs induced by bacterial immunization. A high-throughput RNA-Seq approach generated 94,348 contigs and 66,555 unigenes. Of these unigenes, 36,032 (54.14%) matched known proteins in the NCBI database in a BLAST search. Functional analysis demonstrated that 38,219 unigenes were clustered into 5,499 gene ontology terms. In addition, 26 cDNAs encoding novel AMPs were identified by an in silico approach using public databases. Our transcriptome dataset and AMP profile greatly improve our understanding of O. chinensis sinuosa genetics and provide a huge number of gene sequences for further study, including genes of known importance and genes of unknown function.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.191-193
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• 2021

Lactococcus lactis is a fermentative lactic acid bacterium that is used extensively in food fermentations. The L. lactis strain K_LL005 was isolated from the grasshopper (Oxya chinensis sinuosa) gut in Korea. In this study, we reported the complete genome sequence of Lactococcus lactis K_LL005. The final complete genome assembly consist of one circular chromosome (2,375,093 bp) with an overall guanine + cytosine (G + C) content of 35.0%. Annotation results revealed 2,281 protein-coding sequences (CDSs), 19 rRNAs, and 68 tRNA genes. Lactococcus lactis K_LL005 has a gene encoding xylose metabolism such as xylR, xylA, and xylB (xylRAB).

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2015

In this study, to confirm the physiological activity of the grasshopper (Oxya chinensis sinuosa) antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, thermal stability of the antimicrobial substance, pH stability, total polyphenol content of the adult grasshopper was measured. Antibacterial activity in accordance with the extraction solvent showed a strong antibacterial activity in a mixed solvent of ethanol for the E. coli strain. Antimicrobial activity in $40^{\circ}C$ hot air drying and a freezedried condition was the highest and there was no difference in the gender. Antibacterial substance was stable to heat and pH. Antioxidant activity of the grasshopper exhibited a high activity in the 50% and 70% ethanol extract. Total polyphenol content was the 12 ~17 mg / 100 g and there was not great difference according to the drying conditions and gender.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.699-709
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• 2024

Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC) is a well-known edible insect. Several researches on the health benefits of OC consumption have been performed to date; however, their effect on eye health remains largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of OC extracts on the oxidative stress on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Oxidative damage has been identified as one of the key regulatory factors in agerelated macular degeneration. H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, a well-known oxidative stress factor, can cause cell death in retinal pigment epithelia cells. In this study, we found that three OC extracts effectively prevented H₂O₂-induced ROS production and subsequent death of ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the OC extracts inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases including p38, JNK, and ERK. The OC extracts restored IκBα degradation induced by H₂O₂, indicating that OC extracts suppressed the activation of nuclear factorκB. Furthermore, the three OC extracts were shown to have antioxidant effects by upregulating the intracellular expression of key antioxidant proteins such as SOD, NQO, and HO-1. Here we demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of the OC extracts on ARPE-19, indicating their potential role in improving eye health. These results suggest that three OC extracts plays a critical role in oxidative stress-induced cell death protects in ARPE-19 cells.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of grasshopper (Oxya chinensis sinuosa) powder ingestion with/without aerobic exercise (treadmill running) on energy metabolism. To achieve this purpose, 28 Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups: normal diet control group (CON), a normal diet with exercise control group (COEX), a grasshopper powder-supplemented diet group (GH), and a grasshopper powder-supplemented diet with exercise group (GHEX). Duration of the powder ingestion and aerobic exercise training were 6 weeks. Body weight gain ratio was not significant. Fat mass significantly decreased in GH and GHEX. There were no changes in blood glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels between groups. Glucose transporter type 2 and glucose transporter type 4 protein levels were not significantly different between groups. Fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 level was the highest in GHEX. AMP-activated protein kinase level significantly increased in GHEX compared to the levels in the other groups. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta protein level was reduced in GHEX compared to that in CON. These results suggest that grasshopper powder ingestion and endurance exercise training influence energy metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1054-1062
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• 2020

This study was designed to investigate whether extracts from Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mistshenk (an edible insect considered a grasshopper) could inhibit the activity of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mistshenk was extracted with 80% ethanol (OEE) or water (OWE) and then concentrated. The carbohydrate digestive enzyme-inhibiting activity of the resulting extracts was evaluated by examining α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The IC50 values of OEE against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.229 mg/ml and 0.106 mg/ml, respectively. This result indicated that OEE has stronger inhibitory effects than OWE and positive control. The blood glucose levels of the diabetic control mice increased after one meal. However, when OEE (300 mg/kg) was added to starch, this increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was significantly suppressed. The area under the curve also significantly decreased following the administration of OEE, which exhibited no cytotoxicity. These results indicate that OEE is more efficacious than OWE and may be used as a carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitor, delay carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption, and thus alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia caused by dietary carbohydrates.