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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT listed among the therapeutic properties of insect-derived compounds?
Which of the following is NOT listed among the therapeutic properties of insect-derived compounds?
What is one of the primary reasons for the increased acceptance of insect-derived therapies?
What is one of the primary reasons for the increased acceptance of insect-derived therapies?
Which insect product has been traditionally used as a treatment for various ailments?
Which insect product has been traditionally used as a treatment for various ailments?
Insect-based natural compounds can include which of the following types of molecules?
Insect-based natural compounds can include which of the following types of molecules?
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Which class of animals do insects belong to?
Which class of animals do insects belong to?
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What percentage of all known animal species do insects comprise?
What percentage of all known animal species do insects comprise?
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What therapeutic use is associated with honey?
What therapeutic use is associated with honey?
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Which of the following terms refers to the therapeutic use of maggots?
Which of the following terms refers to the therapeutic use of maggots?
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Which insect is associated with treating stomachache and dysentery?
Which insect is associated with treating stomachache and dysentery?
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What is apitherapy primarily used for?
What is apitherapy primarily used for?
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Which of the following insects is used for wound healing in cattle?
Which of the following insects is used for wound healing in cattle?
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What does the venom or toxins from arthropods primarily constitute?
What does the venom or toxins from arthropods primarily constitute?
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Which insect is linked to treating cancer according to the provided information?
Which insect is linked to treating cancer according to the provided information?
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What is a key component of bee venom that contributes to its therapeutic uses?
What is a key component of bee venom that contributes to its therapeutic uses?
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Which of the following diseases is treated by the pod borer insect?
Which of the following diseases is treated by the pod borer insect?
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In which state can the Kambal keeda be found, and what disease does it treat?
In which state can the Kambal keeda be found, and what disease does it treat?
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What is one common use of Chinese Black Mountain Ant in traditional Chinese medicine?
What is one common use of Chinese Black Mountain Ant in traditional Chinese medicine?
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How long have silkworms been used in Chinese traditional medicine?
How long have silkworms been used in Chinese traditional medicine?
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What is the primary reason for the differing methods of insect medicinal remedies in Africa compared to China and India?
What is the primary reason for the differing methods of insect medicinal remedies in Africa compared to China and India?
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What is a method of preparing grasshoppers for medicinal use in Africa?
What is a method of preparing grasshoppers for medicinal use in Africa?
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What ailment is treated using mole crickets' gut contents in Nigeria?
What ailment is treated using mole crickets' gut contents in Nigeria?
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Which of the following is an example of how insects are sold in local markets in Mexico?
Which of the following is an example of how insects are sold in local markets in Mexico?
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Which insect has traditionally been used to treat a wide range of ailments, including flu and infections in traditional Chinese medicine?
Which insect has traditionally been used to treat a wide range of ailments, including flu and infections in traditional Chinese medicine?
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Which insect is noted for its potential as a cancer-fighting substance as researched by British experts?
Which insect is noted for its potential as a cancer-fighting substance as researched by British experts?
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What is one of the primary uses of bee venom (BV) therapy?
What is one of the primary uses of bee venom (BV) therapy?
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Which viruses have shown susceptibility to the components of bee venom?
Which viruses have shown susceptibility to the components of bee venom?
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What effect does cantharidin have on pancreatic cancer cells?
What effect does cantharidin have on pancreatic cancer cells?
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What is the role of Brachytrupes orientalis in traditional diets of North East India?
What is the role of Brachytrupes orientalis in traditional diets of North East India?
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What conclusion did researchers make about bee venom's potential use against SARS-CoV-2?
What conclusion did researchers make about bee venom's potential use against SARS-CoV-2?
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In the study of cantharidin's effects, what factor was shown to be independent of its inhibitory role in pancreatic cancer?
In the study of cantharidin's effects, what factor was shown to be independent of its inhibitory role in pancreatic cancer?
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What was a notable outcome of supplementing muscle cells with hydro-alcoholic extracts from Brachytrupes orientalis?
What was a notable outcome of supplementing muscle cells with hydro-alcoholic extracts from Brachytrupes orientalis?
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What is the role of group III secretory phospholipase in bee venom?
What is the role of group III secretory phospholipase in bee venom?
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What is a common form of manuka honey available for therapeutic use?
What is a common form of manuka honey available for therapeutic use?
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Which of the following products is marketed for the treatment of warts?
Which of the following products is marketed for the treatment of warts?
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What cultural attitude poses challenges to the acceptance of insects as medicines in the West?
What cultural attitude poses challenges to the acceptance of insects as medicines in the West?
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What issue complicates the development of medicines from insects in developed countries?
What issue complicates the development of medicines from insects in developed countries?
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What is one function of honey bee pollen or propolis products?
What is one function of honey bee pollen or propolis products?
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Which of the following insect products is rich in zinc and proteins?
Which of the following insect products is rich in zinc and proteins?
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What is one key characteristic of silk scaffolds used in tissue engineering?
What is one key characteristic of silk scaffolds used in tissue engineering?
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What is a major gap in research related to insect species and natural products?
What is a major gap in research related to insect species and natural products?
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Study Notes
Insects as Medicines
- Insects and their products have been used as traditional medicine across the world for centuries.
- Insects produce a diverse array of biologically active compounds, like fatty acids, terpenoids, and nucleosides, often as defense mechanisms.
- These compounds can have medicinal effects when consumed by humans.
- There are at least 77 insect species used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments.
- In Africa, traditional insect medicine knowledge passed down through families and communities involves treatments such as applying grasshopper powder to the forehead for headaches.
- Mexico also has a diverse history using insects for medicine with over 43 insect species used in traditional remedies.
Apitherapy
- Apitherapy involves using bee products like honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom for therapeutic purposes.
- Bee venom, containing melittin and phospholipase A2, has anti-inflammatory properties and potential antiviral activity.
- Cantharidin, a compound from blister beetles, is an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which plays a role in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.
- A study found that cantharidin can effectively inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth without affecting normal pancreatic duct cells.
- Brachytrupes orientalis, an edible insect in Northeast India, has shown potential as an antioxidant and glucose-metabolizing agent in diabetic conditions.
Commercial Products
- Several honey products are commercially available for treating dry eye symptoms, wounds, burns, and diabetic foot ulcers.
- Honey bee pollen and propolis are marketed as nutritional supplements, anti-depressants, appetite modulators, and tonics.
- Royal jelly is available as an antibacterial and antifungal agent in capsules.
- Cantharone plus, a product derived from blister beetles, is used for treating warts.
- Silk scaffolds are produced in various forms for tissue engineering.
- Sterile medical-grade maggots are used for wound healing.
- Black ant products, often available as powder, capsules, or liquid extracts, are known for their zinc, trace minerals, and protein content.
Challenges in Adopting Insects as Medicines
- Cultural biases and negative perceptions of insects, particularly in Western cultures, pose a challenge to the wider adoption of insect-based medicines.
- Western countries face greater obstacles in developing insect-based medicines compared to nations like China and Brazil, which have a long history of using plant and animal extracts in medicine.
- Political and public pressure can also hinder research and development of insect-based medicines.
- Compared to certain insects, the potential of other insect species like crustaceans for medicinal use remains largely unexplored.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of insects and their medicinal uses in traditional medicine practices worldwide. Discover the role of various insect species and bee products like honey and venom in treating ailments. Understand how these natural remedies have been utilized across cultures for centuries.
