• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.477-481
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• 2000

The cytotoxicity of crude insect drugs was measured using HeLa cells originating from human cervix and uterine cancer. using the dye uptake assay in order to find potential anticancer agents. Three kinds of extracts (buffer, methanol and ethylacetate) were prepared from 26 insects and used as raw materials for the activity assay. Among these, the buffer extracts from Tabanus, Mylabris and Huechys showed a potent anticancer activity, and those from Catharsius, Red ant, Scorpion, Tabanus and Vespae Nidus showed a strong L-amino acid oxidase (AAO) activity as well as cytotoxicity. In contrast, buffer extracts from Gryllotalpa orientalis and Apriona germari larvae showed greater/more rapid Hela cell growth than that of other insects.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.180.3-181
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• 2000

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 1997

This research was performed to screen the cytotoxic activities of some pharmaceutical insect relatives. Cytotoxic activities of total extract and fractions of hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, water and boiling water were extracted from four pharmaceutical insect relatives: the Chinese gall, the cicada slough, the hornet nest and the batryticated silkworm. These extracts were investigated against the cancer cell lines of L1210, P388 and SNU-1 in vitro tests. Results showed that, ED, , against the cancer cell lines of L1210, P388 and SNU-1 were 0.55, 0.50, and $0.83{\mu}g/ml$ in the ethyl acetate fraction from the Chinese gall; 1.07, 2.19, and $2.24{\mu}g/ml$in the ethyl acetate fraction, 1.51, 1.26, and $1.45{\mu}g/ml$ in the water fraction and 1.48, 2.29, and $1.29{\mu}g/ml$in the boiling water fraction from the cicada slough; 3.31, 2.00, and $6.61\mug/ml$ in the water fraction from the hornet nest and 13.80, 19.95, and $31.62{\mu}g/ml$in the hexane fraction and 33.88, 21.88, and $25.12{\mu}g/ml$in the ethyl acetate fraction from the batryticated silkworm, respectively. All of the fractions mentioned above showed high cytotoxic activities and could be suggested for further studies in vivo tests.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2017

Hangover due to alcohol consumption causes social and physical problems. There is a growing interest in edible insects worldwide. We have previously published a new technology to make hard mature silkworm, Bombyx mori, into edible form, steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP). In this study, AIN-76 or SMSP (0.1 and 1 g/kg rat body weight) containing diets in SD rats were pretreated for 2 weeks, and ethanol (3 g/kg rat body weight) was administered as an oral gavage and sacrificed after 3 hours. As a result, blood alcohol and aldehyde levels were significantly decreased in SMSP fed rats. In addition, liver injury markers, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly decreased in SMSP group compared to ethanol group. $TNF-{\alpha}$, an inflammatory cytokine, and malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress marker, also showed a dose-dependent decrease in the group receiving SMSP. Conclusively, consumption of SMSP not only reduced hangover induced by ethanol, but also decreased liver damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.22.1-22.19
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• 2016

The biologically active compounds derived from different natural organisms such as animals, plants, and microorganisms like algae, fungi, bacteria and merine organisms. These natural compounds possess diverse biological activities like anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral activities. These biological active compounds were acted by variety of molecular targets and thus may potentially contribute to several pharmacological classes. The synthesis of natural products and their analogues provides effect of structural modifications on the parent compounds which may be useful in the discovery of potential new drug molecules with different biological activities. Natural organisms have developed complex chemical defense systems by repelling or killing predators, such as insects, microorganisms, animals etc. These defense systems have the ability to produce large numbers of diverse compounds which can be used as new drugs. Thus, research on natural products for novel therapeutic agents with broad spectrum activities and will continue to provide important new drug molecules.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.173.2-174
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• 2003

Many pesticides possess hormonal activity and have been thus classified as endocrine disruptors. Bioallethrin is one of the pyrethroids. synthetic derivatives of naturally occurring pyrethrins. These pyrethroids including bioallethrin have been developed as insectides due to their high insecticidal potency and low mammalian toxicity. Currently, bioallethrin is used to eradicate pests and insects in Korea, providing potential for human exposure. (omitted)

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-16
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• 1997

The cytotoxicity of animal venoms (snakes, insects and marine animals) was measured against SNU-1 (stomach cancer cells) by dye uptake assay (MTT method). And also L-amino acid oxidase (AAO) activity of the venoms was compared. Among them, the venom from Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra) showed a strong AAO activity as well as a high potent cytotoxicity. Cytotoxic protein having a AAO was then partially purified by HPLC-GPC and two fractions (Fr. I and Fr. II) were collected. The $IC_{50}$ values of Fr. I and Fr. II were 0.19 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 1.36 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The results suggested that the cytotoxicity of king cobra venom may be due to its AAO activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2002

In the previous report, we described the in vivo antitumor activity of PJ-4, a protein-polysaccharide fraction prepared from the culture filtrate of an insect-born fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes DGUM 32001. In the present study, we elucidated the immunomodulating activity of PJ-4 on the BALB/c mouse splenic lymphocytes using flow cytometrical techniques. As a result, PJ-4 was found to stimulate the lymphocytes not only to form lymphoblasts but also to express CD25 (IL-2 receptor $\alpha$ chain) molecule, which is well known as a T cell activation marker. More interestingly, its T cell stimulatory activity was more strongly exerted on CD8$^{+}$ T cells than on CD4$^{+}$ T cells. All these data suggest that PJ-4 exerts its antitumor activity at least partly through stimulation of T cells which play major roles in the cell-mediated immune system.tem.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.8.1-8.6
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• 2014

Despite the remarkable advancements of the modern medicine, the traditional system of medicine (TSM) still serves as a potential primary health care modality in the in low- and middle-income countries. The recent reports suggest that there is a renewed interest has been observed towards TSM in the developed countries too, because of the adverse side-effect of modern medicines. Medicinal plants have been widely serving as a rich source of therapeutic agent. Ethiopia is one of the most reserves rich countries in the world. It is renowned for well-diversified and natural resources in terms of its unique flora and fauna. Ethiopian deep-rooted tradition and culture largely depends on the usage of plants for their religious ceremonies, impressive festivals, traditional medicinal uses and other basic necessities. The present scrutiny is an attempt to understand the omnipotent nature of an Ethiopian Ethnomedicinal plant called Tinjute [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Otostegia integrifolia]. There are several studies suggest that Tinjute can be used as a natural medicine or health-promoting agents for various disorders and ailments. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, it is renowned as an insect repellent to drive-away insect vector of diseases, particularly mosquitoes in the early evening. However, there are many more issues and challenges which must be urgently addressed to scientifically formulate various potent, efficacious, safe and highly selective phytotherapeutic agents and insects' repellent from the Tinjute plant in the near future.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.119-132
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• 1985

The apparent effectiveness of 1-naphthyl-N-methyl carbamate (carbaryl) against a wide variety of insects motivated the study of its mammalian toxicity. In this toxicological study of carbaryl, mature male rats inhaled carbaryl at a mean concentration of 112mg, 168mg and 224 mg/$m^{3}$ for one hour. After inhalation, pentobarbital sleeping time, Nadph-cytochrome c reductase activity, cytochrome p-450 and protein content in liver microsomes, various tissue residues, cholinesterase inhibition in plasma and histopathological findings at autopsy were observed. The pentobarbital sleeping time was prolonged in rats inhaled with carbaryl for one day while the sleeping time was shortened in the 3 days inhaled group. The changes of cytochrome p-450 content and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity exhibited biphasic response showing the decrease in the one day inhaled group and the increase in the 3 days inhaled group. The marked depression of plasma ChE activity was observed in rats inhaled with carbaryl at 112 mg/$m^{3}$, however no more progressive effect was observed at the higher concentration of the compound. The main observations in histopathological finding were ciliary detachment, epithelial swelling and subepithelial inflammatory cellular infiltration in trachea due to the irritation.