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AGRICULTURE & FOOD
E-NEWSLETTER
ISSN : 2581-8317
VOLUME 05 - ISSUE 12
December 2023
WWW.AGRIFOODMAGAZINE.CO.IN
Monthly online magazine in
agriculture, horticulture, food
technology and allied subjects
Volume 05 - Issue 12 - December 2023 525 | P a g e
Insect Contribution in Medical Research
Article ID: 44772
Sandeep K1, Dr. Dinesh Rai2
1M. Sc. (Ag). Department of Entomology, PGCA, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar).
2Associate Professor-cum-Senior Scientist, Department of Plant Pathology, PGCA, RPCAU, Pusa.
Abstract
Insects, often overlooked, prove crucial in medical research. Beyond pollination and ecosystem roles, they
hold untapped therapeutic potential. This article explores their impact, from drug development to wound
healing and diagnostics. Compounds from insects, like tarantula hawk wasp venom and silkworm moth
larvae, show promise against cancer and infections. Maggot therapy revolutionizes wound care, while
insect-derived antimicrobials combat antibiotic resistance. Fruit flies as disease models accelerate
research. Biomedical engineering draws inspiration from insects, yielding innovations in adhesives and
sensors. Venoms, such as bee venom, offer treatments, and silkworm silk aids drug delivery. Insects, as
disease vectors, provide insights crucial for global health.
Keywords: Insects, Medical research, Antibiotic resistance, Venoms, Drug delivery.
Introduction
Insects are not only essential pollinators and ecosystem engineers, but they also contribute to medical
research. For many centuries, insects have been used in traditional medicine, and modern science is now
revealing the vast potential of these tiny creatures in the development of new medicines, therapies, and
diagnostic tools (Bloemberg et al., 2021). One of the most promising areas of insect-based medical research
is the development of new drugs. Insects produce a wide variety of compounds that have potential
therapeutic value, including antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, and anti-inflammatory drugs (Sahoo et al.,
2021). For example, the larvae of the silkworm moth produce a compound called sericin, which has been
shown to have antibacterial and antiviral properties (Zhu et al., 2021). The tarantula hawk wasp produces
a venom that is one of the most painful stings in the world, but it also contains compounds that have been
shown to be effective in killing cancer cells (Justin and Schmidt, 2019). In addition to developing new drugs,
insects can also be used to improve existing therapies. For example, researchers have developed a way to
use mosquitoes to deliver malaria vaccines. Researchers have also developed a way to use fireflies to create
a new type of diagnostic tool that can detect cancer (Mathias et al., 2021). The potential of insects in medical
research is vast. These tiny creatures have a wealth of untapped therapeutic potential. As we continue to
learn more about insects, we are likely to discover even more ways that they can be used to improve human
health.
Maggot Therapy: Debridement and Infection Control
Maggot therapy, a revolutionary medical treatment, utilizes maggots, the larvae of specific flies, to cleanse
and debride chronic wounds. This ancient practice, deeply rooted in traditional medicine, has gained
renewed scientific attention, revealing its remarkable potential in treating a range of wounds. Maggots
possess the remarkable ability to secrete enzymes that not only break down dead tissue but also promote
healing and combat infection. These enzymes, acting as debriding agents, effectively remove necrotic tissue
from the wound. Additionally, maggots secrete antimicrobial compounds that effectively eliminate bacteria
and fungi. Maggot therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating various chronic wounds,
including diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, osteomyelitis, and venous ulcers. Offering a safe and natural
alternative to surgery, maggot therapy holds the promise of reducing amputation risks (Sherman et al.,
2013).
Insect-Derived Antimicrobials
Insects possess an innate ability to combat infections, and this remarkable trait has opened the door to the
discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds from these organisms. Cecropin and magainin, two examples
of these insect-derived antimicrobials, have demonstrated efficacy against a broad spectrum of bacteria,
Volume 05 - Issue 12 - December 2023 526 | P a g e
fungi, and viruses. Their mechanism of action involves disrupting the cell membranes of microorganisms,
ultimately leading to their demise. These antimicrobials hold promise in addressing the escalating issue of
antibiotic resistance and may pave the way for the development of novel therapies for cancer and other
ailments (Müller et al., 2013).
Insect Models for Disease Research
Insects offer a unique and valuable approach to studying human diseases due to their rapid lifespans,
straightforward genetic makeup, and translucent bodies. This combination of traits facilitates the study of
disease progression and the evaluation of novel therapies in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Fruit
flies, or Drosophila melanogaster, serve as a prime example of an insect model effectively employed in the
investigation of a diverse range of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The
benefits of utilizing insect models are multifaceted. Their rapid lifecycles enable researchers to observe
disease progression in a condensed time frame, accelerating the pace of discovery. Additionally, their simple
genetics provide a convenient platform for manipulating genes and examining their impact on disease
development. The translucency of many insect bodies further enhances the study of disease progression by
allowing researchers to visualize changes in real-time. These advantages highlight the significant
contributions of insect models to the advancement of biomedical research (Andre et al., 1989).
Venom for Therapeutic Purposes
Insect venom has medicinal properties that can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. For example, bee
venom has anti-inflammatory properties and is being investigated as a potential treatment for rheumatoid
arthritis. By understanding the composition of insect venoms, researchers can isolate and synthesize
specific components for targeted therapeutic applications, opening up new possibilities for pain
management and immune modulation (Ali, 2012).
Drug Discovery and Biotechnology
Insects have become crucial players in drug discovery and biotechnology. The silk produced by silkworms,
for example, has unique properties that make it an ideal material for drug delivery systems. Furthermore,
the cultivation of insect cells for the production of recombinant proteins has become a common practice in
the biotechnology industry. Insects provide a cost-effective and scalable platform for the production of
therapeutic proteins and vaccines (Vilcinskas, 2020).
Vectors of Disease
While insects are often associated with the transmission of diseases, such as malaria by mosquitoes and
Lyme disease by ticks, this dark aspect of their existence also presents an opportunity for medical research.
Studying the interactions between pathogens and their insect vectors helps researchers understand the
mechanisms of disease transmission. This knowledge is crucial for developing strategies to control and
prevent the spread of diseases that affect millions of people worldwide (Tobias, 2016).
Conclusion
In conclusion, insects, often overlooked, present a rich source for medical breakthroughs. From maggot
therapy's wound-healing prowess to insect-derived antimicrobials combating antibiotic resistance, these
tiny creatures hold vast therapeutic potential. Insect models accelerate disease research, while their
inspiration fuels biomedical engineering, yielding innovative technologies. Insect venom offers medicinal
properties for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. In drug discovery, silkworm silk becomes an ideal
material for drug delivery, and insect cells prove vital in biotechnology. Despite their role as disease vectors,
studying interactions with pathogens informs strategies for disease prevention. In the intricate world of
insects, ongoing exploration promises groundbreaking advancements in human health.
References
1. Ali, M. A. A. S. M. (2012). Studies on bee venom and its medical uses. Int J Adv Res Technol, 1(2), 69-83.
2. Andre, R. G., Wirtz, R. A., Das, Y. T., & An, C. (1989). Insect models for biomedical research. Nonmammalian animal models
for biomedical research, 61.
3. Bloemberg, J., Stefanini, C., & Romano, D. (2021). The role of insects in medical engineering and bionics: towards
entomomedical engineering. IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics, 3(4), 909-918.
Volume 05 - Issue 12 - December 2023 527 | P a g e
4. Mathias, D. K., Plieskatt, J. L., Armistead, J. S., Bethony, J. M., Abdul-Majid, K. B., McMillan, A., ... & Dinglasan, R. R. (2012).
Expression, immunogenicity, histopathology, and potency of a mosquito-based malaria transmission-blocking recombinant
vaccine. Infection and immunity, 80(4), 1606-1614.
5. Müller, H., Salzig, D., & Czermak, P. (2015). Considerations for the process development of insect‐derived antimicrobial
peptide production. Biotechnology progress, 31(1), 1-11.
6. Sahoo, A., Swain, S. S., Behera, A., Sahoo, G., Mahapatra, P. K., & Panda, S. K. (2021). Antimicrobial peptides derived from
insects offer a novel therapeutic option to combat biofilm: A review. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 661195.
7. Schmidt, J. O. (2019). Arthropod toxins and venoms. In Medical and veterinary entomology (pp. 23-31). Academic Press.
8. Sherman, R. A., Mumcuoglu, K. Y., Grassberger, M., & Tantawi, T. I. (2013). Maggot therapy. In Biotherapy-history, principles
and practice: a practical guide to the diagnosis and treatment of disease using living organisms (pp. 5-29). Dordrecht: Springer
Netherlands.
9. Tobias, N. J. (2016). Insect vectors of disease: untapped reservoirs for new antimicrobials?. Frontiers in microbiology, 7, 2085.
10. Vilcinskas, A. (2020). Insect Biotechnology: Insects as a Resource. Biological Transformation, 247-260.
11. Zhu, H., Zhang, X., Lu, M., Chen, H., Chen, S., Han, J., ... & Dong, Z. (2020). Antibacterial mechanism of silkworm seroins.
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