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Yan R, Abdullah, Ahmed I, Jiang L, Tuliebieke T, Xing Z, Li H, Zhang Y, Zhang T, Tian X, Zhang H. The metabarcoding of Grubs: Traditional herbal medicine of Scarabaeidae larvae. Gene 2024; 910:148303. [PMID: 38401835 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Grubs, called Qicao in China, have a long tradition as herbal medicine in East Asia. These larvae belong to the diverse family Scarabaeidae and are typically harvested from the wild during their immature stage based on morphological characteristics. However, rapid and accurate identification becomes challenging when relying solely on external morphological features, as the lack of clarity on biological sources raises safety concerns for clinical applications. The application of DNA metabarcoding provides a solution by enabling the determination of the biological source of a large sample. In the current study, we collected 19 batches of Grubs, consisting of 11,539 individuals, from the market and analyzed their biological composition through metabarcoding. We identified 49 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), 21 of which were Grubs. The 21 ASVs were classified into seven Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) through species delimitation, which revealed that commercially available Grubs are predominantly sourced from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, while species of Rutelinae, Anomala, and Holotrichia were also abundant in some commercial batches. Among the identified ASVs, 28 belonged to non-Grub species and indicated adulteration from different animal families; high abundances of these ASVs were detected for Bombycidae, Tabanidae, and Viviparidae. Our findings underscore the complexity of Grubs' species composition and advocate for a deeper understanding of the wildlife sources contributing to herbal products. This research contributes valuable insights into the molecular identification of Grubs, paving the way for enhanced quality assurance in traditional medicine applications to provide safe and effective medicines for humanity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rushan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Abdullah
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Ibrar Ahmed
- Alpha Genomics Private Limited, Islamabad 45710, Pakistan; Microbiological Analysis Team, Group for Biometrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards Band Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Lu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology of Liaoning Province, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang Liaoning, 110866, China.
| | - Tenukeguli Tuliebieke
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Zhimei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Yue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Tingting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Xiaoxuan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Huanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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Chun JM, Nam H, Lee JH, Seo YH, Kim HS, Moon BC, Park JH. Chondroprotective effects of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae as an edible insect on osteoarthritis in mice. Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:7887-7899. [PMID: 38107146 PMCID: PMC10724628 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of the articular cartilage, bone remodeling, and excessive chronic pain. Most therapeutic approaches do not rescue the progression of OA effectively or provide relief of symptoms. Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva (PBSL), which is attracting attention, is an edible insect with very high nutritional value and herbal medicine for the treatment of blood stasis, hepatic disease, and various inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of PBSL on OA has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of PBSL water extract on the progression of OA using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced mice and SW1353 chondrocytes or murine macrophages. We injected MIA into the intraarticular area of mice following pretreatment with either saline or PBSL (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks, and then locomotor activity, microcomputed tomography and histopathological analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, and western blot analysis were performed. To determine the molecular effects of PBSL, we used interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced SW1353 chondrosarcoma or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment with PBSL diminished the symptoms of OA. Physical activity, articular cartilage damage, and the generation of microfractures were rescued by pretreatment with PBSL in the mouse model. Pretreatment with PBSL suppressed the progress of OA through the regulation of articular cartilage degradation genes and inflammation in both in vivo and in vitro models. Our results demonstrated that PBSL has value as edible insect that can be used in the development of functional foods for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Mi Chun
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
| | - Hyeon‐Hwa Nam
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
| | - Ji Hye Lee
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
- School of Korean MedicinePusan National UniversityBusan‐siRepublic of Korea
| | - Young Hye Seo
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
| | - Hyo Seon Kim
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
| | - Byeong Cheol Moon
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
| | - Jun Hong Park
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research CenterKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineNaju‐siRepublic of Korea
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Keown JR, Crawshaw AD, Trincao J, Carrique L, Gildea RJ, Horrell S, Warren AJ, Axford D, Owen R, Evans G, Bézier A, Metcalf P, Grimes JM. Atomic structure of a nudivirus occlusion body protein determined from a 70-year-old crystal sample. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4160. [PMID: 37443157 PMCID: PMC10345106 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious protein crystals are an essential part of the viral lifecycle for double-stranded DNA Baculoviridae and double-stranded RNA cypoviruses. These viral protein crystals, termed occlusion bodies or polyhedra, are dense protein assemblies that form a crystalline array, encasing newly formed virions. Here, using X-ray crystallography we determine the structure of a polyhedrin from Nudiviridae. This double-stranded DNA virus family is a sister-group to the baculoviruses, whose members were thought to lack occlusion bodies. The 70-year-old sample contains a well-ordered lattice formed by a predominantly α-helical building block that assembles into a dense, highly interconnected protein crystal. The lattice is maintained by extensive hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, disulfide bonds, and domain switching. The resulting lattice is resistant to most environmental stresses. Comparison of this structure to baculovirus or cypovirus polyhedra shows a distinct protein structure, crystal space group, and unit cell dimensions, however, all polyhedra utilise common principles of occlusion body assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R Keown
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Adam D Crawshaw
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Jose Trincao
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Loïc Carrique
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J Gildea
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Sam Horrell
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Anna J Warren
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Danny Axford
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Robin Owen
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Gwyndaf Evans
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Annie Bézier
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (IRBI), UMR7261 CNRS-Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Peter Metcalf
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan M Grimes
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Jin Y, Nguyen TLL, Myung CS, Heo KS. Ginsenoside Rh1 protects human endothelial cells against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory injury through inhibiting TLR2/4-mediated STAT3, NF-κB, and ER stress signaling pathways. Life Sci 2022; 309:120973. [PMID: 36150463 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
AIM Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction initiates atherosclerosis by inducing inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Herein, we investigated the role of ginsenoside Rh1 (Rh1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced EC dysfunction. MAIN METHODS The inhibitory effect of Rh1 on LPS binding to toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) or TLR4 was evaluated using an immunofluorescence (IF) assay. Annexin V and cleaved caspase-3-positive EC apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry and IF assay. Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR were performed to clarify underlying molecular mechanisms. In vivo model, effect of Rh1 on EC dysfunction was evaluated by using en face IF assay on aortas isolated C57BL/6 mice. KEY FINDING LPS (500 ng/mL) activated inflammatory signaling pathways, including ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB. Interestingly, Rh1 significantly abolished the binding of LPS to TLR2 and TLR4. Consistently, Rh1 inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation and its downstream molecules, including inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Furthermore, Rh1 alleviated LPS-induced downregulation of eNOS promoter activity. Notably, inactivation of eNOS by 50 μM L-NAME significantly increased NF-κB promoter activity. In addition, Rh1 abolished LPS-mediated cell cycle arrest and EC apoptosis by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress via PERK/CHOP/ERO1-α signaling pathway. Consistent with in vitro experimental data, Rh1 effectively suppressed LPS-induced VCAM-1 and CHOP expression and rescuing LPS-destroyed tight junctions between ECs as indicated in ZO-1 expression on mice aorta. SIGNIFICANCE Rh1 suppresses LPS-induced EC inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting STAT3/NF-κB and endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways, mediated by blocking LPS binding-to TLR2 and TLR4. Consistently, Rh1 effectively reduced EC dysfunction in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Jin
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Thuy Le Lam Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Myung
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Heo
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea.
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Geng J, Sui Z, Dou W, Miao Y, Wang T, Wei X, Chen S, Zhang Z, Xiao J, Huang D. 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Reveals Specific Gut Microbes Common to Medicinal Insects. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:892767. [PMID: 35651499 PMCID: PMC9149300 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.892767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects have a long history of being used in medicine, with clear primary and secondary functions and less side effects, and the study and exploitation of medicinal insects have received increasing attention. Insects gut microbiota and their metabolites play an important role in protecting the hosts from other potentially harmful microbes, providing nutrients, promoting digestion and degradation, and regulating growth and metabolism of the hosts. However, there are still few studies linking the medicinal values of insects with their gut microbes. In this study, we focused on the specific gut microbiota common to medicinal insects, hoping to trace the potential connection between medicinal values and gut microbes of medicinal insects. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data, we compared the gut microbiota of medicinal insects [Periplaneta americana, Protaetia (Liocola) brevitarsis (Lewis) and Musca domestica], in their medicinal stages, and non-medicinal insects (Hermetia illucens L., Tenebrio molitor, and Drosophila melanogaster), and found that the intestinal microbial richness of medicinal insects was higher, and there were significant differences in the microbial community structure between the two groups. We established a model using a random-forest method to preliminarily screen out several types of gut microbiota common to medicinal insects that may play medicinal values: Parabacteroides goldsteinii, Lactobacillus dextrinicus, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis), and Vagococcus carniphilus. In particular, P. goldsteinii and B. infantis were most probably involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of medicinal insects. Our results revealed an association between medicinal insects and their gut microbes, providing new development directions and possibly potential tools for utilizing microbes to enhance the medicinal efficacy of medicinal insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Geng
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuoxiao Sui
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weihao Dou
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunheng Miao
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xunfan Wei
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Sicong Chen
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zongqi Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinhua Xiao
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dawei Huang
- Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Petersen JM, Bézier A, Drezen JM, van Oers MM. The naked truth: An updated review on nudiviruses and their relationship to bracoviruses and baculoviruses. J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 189:107718. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Díaz-Navarro M, Bolívar P, Andrés MF, Gómez-Muñoz MT, Martínez-Díaz RA, Valcárcel F, García-París M, Bautista LM, González-Coloma A. Antiparasitic Effects of Potentially Toxic Beetles (Tenebrionidae and Meloidae) from Steppe Zones. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13070489. [PMID: 34357960 PMCID: PMC8310226 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropods and specifically beetles can synthesize and/or sequester metabolites from dietary sources. In beetle families such as Tenebrionidae and Meloidae, a few studies have reported species with toxic defensive substances and antiparasitic properties that are consumed by birds. Here we have studied the antiparasitic activity of extracts from beetle species present in the habitat of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) against four pathogen models (Aspergillus niger, Meloidogyne javanica, Hyalomma lusitanicum, and Trichomonas gallinae). The insect species extracted were Tentyria peiroleri, Scaurus uncinus, Blaps lethifera (Tenebrionidae), and Mylabris quadripunctata (Meloidae). M. quadripunctata exhibited potent activity against M. javanica and T. gallinae, while T. peiroleri exhibited moderate antiprotozoal activity. The chemical composition of the insect extracts was studied by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The most abundant compounds in the four beetle extracts were hydrocarbons and fatty acids such as palmitic acid, myristic acid and methyl linoleate, which are characteristic of insect cuticles. The presence of cantharidin (CTD) in the M. quadripunctata meloid and ethyl oleate (EO) in T. peiroleri accounted for the bioactivity of their extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Díaz-Navarro
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.-N.); (P.B.); (M.G.-P.); (L.M.B.)
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, CSIC, Serrano 115-dpdo, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Paula Bolívar
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.-N.); (P.B.); (M.G.-P.); (L.M.B.)
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - María Fe Andrés
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, CSIC, Serrano 115-dpdo, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Rafael A. Martínez-Díaz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Arzobispo Morcillo S/N, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Félix Valcárcel
- Grupo de Parasitología Animal, Departamento de Reproducción Animal, CSIC-INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Mario García-París
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.-N.); (P.B.); (M.G.-P.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Luis M. Bautista
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.-N.); (P.B.); (M.G.-P.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Azucena González-Coloma
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, CSIC, Serrano 115-dpdo, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence:
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