The Korea Journal of Herbology (대한본초학회지)

The Korea Association of Herbology (대한본초학회)
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The potential usefulness of several medicinal insects and their major amino acids in allergic disorders

수종 곤충류 한약재 및 함유 아미노산의 알레르기 질환 치료의 유용성 연구

  • Young-Cheol Lee (Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University)
  • 이영철 (상지대학교 한의과대학 본초학교실)
  • Received : 2024.08.08
  • Accepted : 2024.09.25
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

Objectives : Edible insects are the widely distributed group of animals and contain high quality proteins, fatty acids and minerals. In particular, insects are a possible interesting source of essential amino acids. Insects as traditional medicines have much potential as pharmaceuticals in modern medicines including treating infections, cancer, dissolving phlegm, relieving spasms, and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of several kinds of insects and major amino acids. Methods : In our review we try to show the potential usefulness of insects and amino acids in searching for new therapeutic solutions for immunologic diseases. We summarized the knowledge about properties, usefulness of insect and amino acids in drug design. We hypothesized that insects and amino acids, their major ingredients, regulates airway inflammation and immunologic diseases and can be developed as therapeutic drugs for the treatment of immunologic diseases. Results : Several insects including Bombyx mori, Cryptotympana pustulata, Holotrichia diomphalia, Locusta migratoria, etc. and amino acids such as glutamine, glutamic acid, methionine and glycine may have potential protective effects against asthma and airway neutrophilia. Glutamic acid, cystine, methionine and glycine which contribute to glutathione metabolism, which are important anti-oxidant amino acids that may affect susceptibility to asthma. Conclusions : Our results provide evidence about the potential usefulness of several insects and their amino acids in allergic disorders. These findings suggest that several insects and amino acids have important roles in the way they affect the immune system and allergic responses.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (grant number 2019R1A2C1083854).

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