Regulatory effects of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> Linnaeus on immunological function in mice

Abstract

This paper describes the results of experiments to test the effect of the larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus on the immune systems of mice. Mice were given a decoction of T. molitor in water at doses of 1.87, 3.75 and 7.50 g/kg/d for four weeks, after which their immune function was studied. The results indicate that T. molitor observably enhanced the carbon expurgatory index and phagocytic index. The half of hemolysis values in serum of treated mice increased compared to the control group. Furthermore, serum nitric oxide (NO) content in all treatment groups was higher than that of the control group whereas acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity was only significantly higher in the high dose group relative to the control group. We conclude that T. molitor can enhance the immune function of mice and therefore, this insect has the potential of a health food supplement.

Keywords: Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, mice, immunoregulation, immunological function