Earthworm Powder Research Articles

Protective role of earthworm powder (Eudrilus eugenaie) on antioxidant status and DNA fragmentation on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats

Earthworm powder (EWP), a natural boon for medicine, has showed a wide variety of biological activities, which make it a good candidate for the treatment of many oxidative stress-mediated diseases. The present study is aimed to evaluate its therapeutic potential by estimating the levels of lipid peroxidation and assaying activities for various antioxidants in ISO-induced myocardial infarction bearing rats. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85mg/kg body weight administered subcutaneously) to Wistar male rats for 2 consecutive days caused myocardial damage in rat heart, which was determined by the increased activity of lipid peroxidation (LPO). The heart tissue antioxidant enzymes, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the non-enzymatic antioxidant, like reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E levels were altered in MI rats. Further, EWP (200mg/kg body weight suspended in saline) administration attenuated the antioxidant mechanism from lipid peroxidation. Thus, the modulatory effects of EWP on attenuating the lipid peroxidation, upregulation of both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, and DNA fragmentation afford an assurance for the treatment of myocardial infarction in the future.

Evaluation of earthworm powder (Eudrilus eugeniae) and its application in cotton crepe bandage

From time immemorial earthworms have been used as therapeutic agents. Earthworm possess rich natural sources of antioxidants and are used with other herbs to treat a wide variety of conditions ranging from spasms and convulsions to pain relief, treatment of fever and certain types of arthritis. Focusing this, in our present study, the earthworm powder was prepared and its glucose, protein, lipid, phenol contents were analyzed. The minimum inhibitory concentration and antimicrobial assays were performed against selected human pathogens. The powder was subjected to antioxidant assays. The protein bands were visualized by performing SDS PAGE. The thin layer chromatography was performed to analyze the bio- constituents present in it. The powder which is having the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity was impregnated to cotton crepe bandage to bring out its therapeutic application in bandage.

Nutritional Evaluation of Earthworm Powder (Lampito mauritii)

Article history: Received on: 17/02/2013 Revised on: 09/03/2013 Accepted on: 21/03/2013 Available online: 30/03/2013 Dried earthworm powder from culture of Lampito mauritii in vermicomposting units and subjected to analysis of protein, carbohydrate and mineral content. The EWP contained large amounts of protein (31.7 % ), iron (241.1ppm), soluble nitrogen (1.8%), zinc (32.34ppm), manganese (17.2ppm) and copper (4.501ppm) together with notable quantities of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and carbohydrate indicating that this type of earthworm contain potentially useful quantities of many nutrients, that are important to the human health .

Recombinant Protein Production of Earthworm Lumbrokinase for Potential Antithrombotic Application

Earthworms have been used as a traditional medicine in China, Japan, and other Far East countries for thousands of years. Oral administration of dry earthworm powder is considered as a potent and effective supplement for supporting healthy blood circulation. Lumbrokinases are a group of enzymes that were isolated and purified from different species of earthworms. These enzymes are recognized as fibrinolytic agents that can be used to treat various conditions associated with thrombosis. Many lumbrokinase (LK) genes have been cloned and characterized. Advances in genetic technology have provided the ability to produce recombinant LK and have made it feasible to purify a single lumbrokinase enzyme for potential antithrombotic application. In this review, we focus on expression systems that can be used for lumbrokinase production. In particular, the advantages of using a transgenic plant system to produce edible lumbrokinase are described.

Daya Antibakteri Tepung Cacing Tanah (Lumbricus rubellus) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Bakteri Vibrio harveyi Secara In Vitro <br><i>[Antibacterial Activity Of Earthworm Powder (Lumbricus rubellus) To Vibrio harveyi Growth’s In Vitro]<i>

Abstract Vibrio harveyi is the most common pathogenic agent of Penaeus monodon and causing large economic losses to the shrimp farming industry. Antibiotic has been used as the diseases treatment, but it has been banned due to the side effects. This problem was required an alternative solution by using natural material, such as earthworm powder (L. rubellus). This research was conducted to know the bacterial growth inhibition V. harveyi by using earthworm powder (L. rubellus). The research method is experimental and data analysis done descriptively. Inhibition of V. harveyi growth was tested using disc diffusion method. Earthworm powder concentrations are 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 % (w/v) and chloramphenicol disc (30µg), each treatment was repeated three times. The main parameter observed was the size of diameter inhibition zone (mm) which formed around the disc paper after incubation within 24 hours. The data analysis was done descriptively by comparing sensitivity level each treatment. Results showed that earthworms powder (L. rubellus) from the lowest concentration (25% w/v) to the highest concentration (100% w / v) were not able to inhibit V. harveyi growth.

Toxicity evaluation of earthworm powder (Eudrillus euginae) in wistar male rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the acute toxicity effects of earthworm powder (EWP) obtained from Eudrillus euginae on wistar male rats. MethodsThe animals are treated orally with EWP at the doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg bodyweight daily for 12 days. ResultsThere was no significant mortality and changes in body weight noticed at all the doses tested. No gross significant changes observed in the hematological indices (HB, RBC and WBC), Hepatic, serum markers (AST, ALT, ALP, and protein) and renal indices (Urea, Uric acid and Creatinine). The EWP did not show any significant effects in the clinical signs, behavioral changes and examined toxicological endpoints in experimental animals. The histopathological studies provide supports to the safety data of above parameter of EWP dosing. ConclusionsThus, it can be inferred from the present study that EWP (Eudrillus euginae) is devoid of toxic effects in rats and suggested to utilize the EWP as novel medicine.

Effect of dried earth worm (Aporrectodea caliginosa) as replacement of fish meal on growth and survival rate of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachioum rosenbergii (DE MAN 1879) larvae.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of earthworm powder in replacement of the high cost fish meal for feeding the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Triplicate groups of prawns were fed on control diet (fish meal based protein) or experimental diets in which earthworm meal was used to replace fish meal as animal protein source at various inclusion levels namely 0% (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100%. The diets were coded EM1 (control) to EM5. The highest growth performance in term of length, weight and SGR were observed in prawn fed on EM2. The lowest and best feed conversion ratio, 1.1 was recorded with diet containing 25% earthworm meal (EM2). Highest survival (93.5%) was observed within the prawn group fed on the same diet. Biochemical composition of prawn carcasses showed no significant differences among different diets, while the higher level of protein was found in prawn fed on EM2. Results revealed that 25% earthworm meal is recommended in the diet of M. rosenbergii as replacement of fish meal.

An Investigation into the Anti-microbial and Anti-fungal Properties of Earthworm Powder Obtained from Eisenia fetida

An Investigation into the Anti-microbial and Anti-fungal Properties of Earthworm Powder Obtained from Eisenia fetida

Antibacterial Activity of the Indigenous EarthwormsLampito mauritii(Kinberg) andPerionyx excavatus(Perrier)

Earthworms respond to microbial infection through cellular and humoral defense mechanisms such as antimicrobial protein secretions. Most of the humoral defense proteins are synthesized in the skin itself. In the present study, a dried powder was prepared from two indigenous earthworms (Lampito mauritii and Perionyx excavatus) and tested against two gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and five gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The dried earthworm powder of two species shows a strong antibacterial activity against the S. aureus, P. mirabilis, and P. aeruginosa bacterial strains. Of these, the 60 μg/mL/disc of P. excavatus earthworm powder shows more activity than the L. mauritii.

Low cost fish feed for aquarium fish: a test case using Colisa fasciata

A comprehensive trial was undertaken to assess the effect of various types of feed on biomass conversion rate as well as on gonad (ovarian) weight in Colisa fasciata, a dual-purpose fish for food and ornamental use. Three groups of juvenile fish (3.0±0.015 g; 10.00±0.75 mm) were fed with three different types of feed: dried earthworm feed, laboratory prepared feed (LPF) and market feed. The LPF made with dried earthworm powder, eggshell powder and plant rhizome (Commelina sp.) dusts proved to be the best and economical feed among the three feed tested. The LPF also increased gonad weight of the cultured fishes indicating a production of more fish offspring’s from a single female fish. The plant rhizome possibly played a role in increasingly appetite among LPF cultured fish, which in turn influenced somatic as well as reproductive growth of those fish.

Physico‐chemical characterisation of a non‐conventional food protein source from earthworms and sensory impact in arepas

SummaryThis study aimed to characterise a non‐conventional protein source: a powder made from earthworms, and to evaluate its potential use as human food. The way it was prepared led to low solubility and wide particle size distribution. Sensory analysis was used to assess the acceptability and the organoleptic properties of maize‐based pan‐cakes fortified with this novel protein powder. Satisfying products were obtained with a substitution level of 5.5% (w/w) earthworm powder in pan‐cakes. GC‐MS allowed the identification of more than seventy volatile compounds that may be responsible for the off‐odour of the powder. The most abundant chemical groups found in the volatile fraction were ketones with undecan‐2‐one, alcohols with pentan‐1‐ol, and aldehydes with hexanal. Partial delipidation was tested as a way to improve the organoleptic quality of the powder. It clearly led to less intensely coloured samples but delipidation must be optimised to have an impact on odour.

Clinical Trials as to the Oral Administration of Earth-Worm Powder in Patients with Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia or Diabetes Mellitus, Especially on Anti-Hypercholesterolemic and Complaint-Improving

Clinical Trials as to the Oral Administration of Earth-Worm Powder in Patients with Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia or Diabetes Mellitus, Especially on Anti-Hypercholesterolemic and Complaint-Improving

Dose dependency of earthworm powder on antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effects.

The freeze-dried powder of Lumbricus rubellus earthworm was administered orally to rats and its fibrinolytic and antithrombotic effects were investigated. The fibrinolytic activity of plasma was determined by measuring the plasmin activity of the euglobulin fraction and was increased to two-folds of the control at a dose of 0.5 g/kg/day and five times with 1 g/kg/day after 4-day administration. The antithrombotic effect was studied in an arterio-venous shunt model of rats. The thrombus weight decreased significantly from 43.2 mg to 32.4 mg at a dose of 0.5 g/kg/day after 8-day treatment. The level of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (FDP) in serum was elevated in a dose-dependent manner during the treatment period. On the 8th day after administration, the FDP value was increased to 7.7 micrograms/ml compared with the control value of 3.3 micrograms/ml. These results support that earthworm powder is valuable for the prevention and/or treatment of thrombotic conditions.

Evaluation of thein vivo antithrombotic, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities ofLumbricus rubellus earthworm powder

A saline suspension ofLumbricus rubellus earthworm powder (EWP) was administered to rats (1 g/kg/day) orally for 15 days to evaluate an oral effectiveness for thrombotic disorders. Blood was drawn at 2-day interval after the administration. Several parameters for antithrombotic, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities were measured, including platelet aggregation, clotting time, plasmin activity and the levels of FDP (fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products), D-dimer, and t-PA antigen. It did not affect platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen but anticoagulant activity (aPTT and TT) was gradually increased to two-folds for the first 5 days of administration and back to normal. Fibrinolytic acitivity of euglobulin fraction was highest on the 11th day after the administration. The level of FDP was elevated to be comparable to the positve control (5-10 mug/ml) after 9-day treatment. Oral administration of the EWP could also reduce the formation of venous thrombus induced with viper venom. Complete blood count (CBC) profiles were within normal ranges except for a slight increase in white blood cells after the oral administration for 15 days. These results suggested that the EWP may be valuable for the prevention and/or treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Plasminogen activator activity of human endothelial cells induced by nonenzyme fractions of earthworm powder

Plasminogen activator activity of human endothelial cells induced by nonenzyme fractions of earthworm powder

Supplementation of various meals to fish meal diet for chum salmon fry

In a 6-week feeding experiment, chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, swim-up fry, were fed fish meal diets supplemented with silkworm pupae powder (5%), dried beef liver (5%), krill meal (5%) or earthworm powder (5%) at the expense of fish meal, or substituting glucose (13%) for dextrin. Fish fed the diet with earthworm powder showed the best growth performance (675% weight gain in 6 weeks) and feed efficiency (117%). The growth rate and feed efficiency of the krill meal group were also significantly better than those of the control group (without supplement or substitution). Substitution of glucose and supplementation of silkworm pupae or beef liver failed to improve the growth rate, but significantly improved feed efficiency. Food consumption of fish fed the diet supplemented with earthworms was lowest, and none of the dietary treatments appreciably increased food intake of the fish over that of the control group. The dietary group receiving earthworm powder also showed significantly higher body fat content than the remaining dietary groups. No significant differences were noted in body protein and ash contents among all dietary treatments.