Preventive effect of insect tea against reserpine-induced gastric ulcers in mice.

Ya-Lin Zhou,Xin Zhao,Xia Feng,Rui Wang

doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1859

Ya-Lin Zhou, Xin Zhao + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2014.1859

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the preventive effect of insect tea against reserpine-induced gastric ulcers in ICR mice. A high (800 mg/kg) dose of insect tea reduced the serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ compared with those in mice treated with a low (400 mg/kg) dose and the control mice. The serum levels of somatostatin (SS) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in mice treated with insect tea were higher compared with those in the control mice; however, the serum levels of motilin (MOT) and substance P (SP) were lower in mice treated with insect tea than in the control mice. Gastric ulcer inhibitory rate of the insect tea treatment group of mice were much lower compared to the control mice, and the high concentration treated mice were similar to the ranitidine treated mice. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice treated with insect tea were higher compared with those in control mice, and similar to those in normal mice and ranitidine-treated mice. The nitric oxide (NO) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) levels of mice treated with a high concentration of insect tea compared with the normal group were close. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, the present study revealed that insect tea significantly induced inflammation in the tissues of mice by downregulating the expression of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and upregulating the expression of nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor α (IκB-α). These results suggest that insect tea is as effective at preventing gastric ulcers as the gastric ulcer drug, ranitidine and it can be used as medicine.

Highlights

Insect tea is a natural organic tea that is based on the essences of animals and plants
These results suggest that insect tea is as effective at preventing gastric ulcers as the gastric ulcer drug, ranitidine and it can be used as medicine
The mice treated with ranitidine had lower levels of gastric ulcers compared with those in the mice treated with insect tea

Summary

Introduction

Insect tea (tea produced from insect droppings) is a natural organic tea that is based on the essences of animals and plants. Records exist from as early as the Ming Dynasty (1368‐1644) of its positive effects on nutrition and health [1]. Local residents placed wild rattan and leaves of the Kuding tea plant (Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng), vine tea plant (Ampelopsis megalophylla Diels et Gilg), dyetree Et Zucc) and Toringo [Malus sieboldii (Regel) Rehd] together to lure the larvae of Hydrillodes morosa (Butler), Nodaria niphona (Butler), Aglossa dimidiata (Haworth), Herculia glaucinalis and Fujimacia bicoloralis (Leech). The larvae subsequently consumed and excreted the leaves. The residue of rattan and tea leaves was extracted from the droppings (locally named as ‘dragon balls’) and baked to prepare the tea [2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion