Search Results (67)

White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a tree growing up to 15 m in height. It is a plant whose cultivation is historically associated with silk production. Mulberry leaves are the only food source of the mulberry silkworm caterpillars (Bombyx mori L.). The cultivation of this tree has recently gained renewed importance. Due to the content of numerous bioactive substances, mulberry is a valuable raw material for the food, pharmaceutical and herbal industries. This article presents the results of tests on pellets from 1-, 3- and 5-year-old branches, which are waste biomass remaining after pruning mulberry shrubs cultivated to obtain leaves to feed silkworms. Additionally, analyses of pellets from mulberry leaves were also carried out. For the specified mulberry biomass yield, analyses of chemical composition of mulberry biomass (branches and leaves) were carried out, and energy properties (heat of combustion and calorific value) and energy potential were calculated. The heat of combustion of pellet from mulberry branches was, on average, 19,266 MJ∙Mg⁻¹, and the calorific value was 17,726 MJ∙Mg⁻¹. The energy potential, on the other hand, was, on average, 159 GJ∙ha⁻¹ and 44 MWh∙ha⁻¹. The obtained results indicate the possibility of the effective use of mulberry branches after the annual pruning of bushes in plantations for energy purposes. Full article

To enhance the nutritional and functional properties of triticale noodles, this study assessed their proximate composition, sensory attributes, and antioxidant activity, along with protein and starch digestibilities when supplemented with varying concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) of silkworm (Antheraea pernyi and Bombyx mori) pupa powder (SP). Incorporating SP into triticale noodles led to significant enhancements in protein, fat, and ash contents (p < 0.05). The addition of SP may also lead to noticeable color and texture differences by decreasing the lightness (L*) and increasing hardness and springiness in noodles, as well as the flavor difference revealed by E-nose and E-tongue analysis. Furthermore, the total phenolic content and abilities to scavenge DPPH and ABTS radicals improved as the SP level increased. Compared to the control, the SP-fortified noodles had a significantly high in vitro protein digestibility but a low estimated glycemic index. Overall, due to their enhanced nutritional value and bioactivities, SP triticale noodles could be regarded as a healthier alternative to traditional noodles. Full article

Botanical insecticides derived from neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seeds have gained significant interest due to their sustainable characteristics and low environmental impact. However, their use in sericulture remains contentious due to the heightened sensitivity of domesticated silkworms to environmental stressors. This study systematically investigates the toxicodynamic effects of aqueous neem seed extract (ANSE) on fifth instar larvae of Thai multivoltine Bombyx mori L., focusing on larval mortality and carboxylesterase (CarE) enzyme activity in essential detoxification organs. Larvae were exposed to ANSE concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 mg L⁻¹ for up to 72 h. Key findings highlight a pronounced dose- and time-dependent increase in mortality, with an accurately determined LC₅₀ value of 17 mg L⁻¹ at the longest time exposure, accompanied by mortality rates reaching approximately 83% at the highest concentration tested, indicating considerable susceptibility. Additionally, notable and distinct organ-specific responses were observed, with significant inhibition of CarE activity in the midgut contrasting with elevated activities in the fat body and Malpighian tubules. These differential enzymatic responses reveal previously undocumented adaptive detoxification mechanisms. Consequently, the study advocates cautious and regulated application of neem-based insecticides in sericulture, recommending precise management of concentrations and exposure durations according to silkworm strain sensitivities to ensure optimal silk production. Full article

Chlorfenapyr is a widely used insecticide known to harm non-target insects, but its effects on reproductive development in the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the histopathological and transcriptional changes in the gonads (ovaries and testes) of newly molted fifth-instar silkworm larvae exposed to chlorfenapyr. Histopathological analysis revealed delayed gonadal development, a reduction in oogonia and oocytes in the ovaries, and decreased numbers of spermatocytes in the testes. Transcriptome analysis identified significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs), mainly enriched in pathways such as “Drug metabolism—cytochrome P450”, “Insect hormone biosynthesis”, and “Ribosome”. Key up-regulated genes included members of the cytochrome P450 family (CYP6B5, CYP9f2, CYP6B6), glutathione S-transferases (GSTT1, GST1), and juvenile hormone-related enzymes (JHAMT, JHEH), indicating active detoxification and hormonal regulation responses. Several transcription factor families, particularly C2H2, HB-other, and TRAF, exhibited altered expression, suggesting roles in stress adaptation. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified hub genes such as EcR, Kr-h1, and various ribosomal proteins, highlighting their potential involvement in reproductive development. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) validated the transcriptomic data, confirming the reliability of the results. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of chlorfenapyr’s impact on silkworm reproductive development and the underlying molecular mechanisms, providing valuable insights for sustainable pest management and ecological risk assessment of insecticides. Full article

Phoxim is a pesticide extensively applied in mulberry fields, and residues may persist on leaves even after the recommended pre-harvest interval. However, the potential risks of these residues to Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) have long been overlooked. The results demonstrated that chronic low-dose exposure from the second to fifth instars significantly impaired silkworm development and silk production. Specifically, larvae in the 0.316 μg/mL treatment group (1/2 LC₅₀) exhibited a significant reduction in body weight, while the cocoon shell ratio was significantly decreased in both the 0.079 μg/mL (1/8 LC₅₀) and 1/2 LC₅₀ groups. Cocoon deformities were observed in the 0.032 μg/mL (1/20 LC₅₀), 1/8 LC₅₀, and 1/2 LC₅₀ groups. Histopathological analysis revealed silk gland damage in the treatment groups, with severity increasing with higher phoxim concentrations. Biochemical analyses indicated elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels accompanied by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities. Notably, phoxim exposure selectively reduced juvenile hormone (JH) titers without affecting ecdysone titers. JH-regulated genes including the receptors Met1 and Met2, and transcription factors Kr-h1 and Dimm were downregulated, accompanied by suppressed expression of the fibroin synthesis gene Fib-H. These results collectively indicate that chronic low-concentration phoxim exposure disrupts endocrine regulation, damages silk gland integrity, and ultimately reduces silk production in silkworm. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burn injuries present significant treatment challenges due to the intricate nature of the healing process. Bombyx mori L. (silkworm) derivatives, containing healing-promoting proteins such as sericin and fibroin, as well as the anti-inflammatory enzyme serrapeptase, have shown promise as potential healing agents. This study aimed to identify the optimal dosage of silkworm body and gland extracts for burn healing, compare the selected dose’s effectiveness with that of silkworm cocoons, and assess the combined healing effects of a cocoon dressing and a silkworm body extract gel. Methods: An experimental model was employed using hairless SKH-hr2 female mice subjected to standardized second-degree burns. The mice received treatments with various formulations of silkworm body and gland extracts, silkworm cocoons, and a combined application of a cocoon dressing and silkworm body extract gel. Results: The most effective treatments were the cocoon dressing and the combination of cocoon dressing with 60% body extract gel. By Day 20, complete healing (100%) was observed in the 20% and 60% body and gland extract groups, while the cocoon and 60% gland extract groups exhibited 60% healing, significantly higher than the control group (0% healing). Wound contraction analysis showed the greatest reduction in surface area from Day 3 to Day 17 in the cocoon and 60% body extract groups (p < 0.05). Histopathological assessments revealed that the combination group exhibited the least tissue damage (score: 7), compared to the control (score: 10–13). Conclusions: The study highlights the poorly examined therapeutic potential of silkworm body and gland extracts, demonstrating their efficacy in accelerating burn healing. The effects observed by the silkworm cocoon and body extract suggests a novel and promising approach for burn wound management, warranting further clinical exploration. Full article

Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 2 (Cdk2), an important member of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase family, plays a critical regulatory role in biological processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that Cdk2 is involved in the arrest and resumption of meiosis in mammalian oocytes. In this study, we explored the function of Cdk2 through parthenogenetic lines (PLs) and corresponding amphigonic lines (ALs) in a model lepidopteran insect silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Our findings revealed a positive correlation between Cdk2 activity and the parthenogenesis induction rate. The pharmacological inhibition of Cdk2 using the specific inhibitor AUZ454 not only significantly reduced the parthenogenesis induction rate but also caused developmental delays in embryos. These results demonstrate that Cdk2 is essential for parthenogenesis success and is a potential target gene for biological reproductive regulation. Full article

Lipid metabolism serves as the primary energy source for organisms. Silkworm eggs for spring use are divided into two types: autumn-produced eggs for next spring rearing (AS) and spring-produced eggs for next spring rearing (SS). Production practice revealed significant differences in hatching rates between these two types of silkworm production strain QiufengA. In this study, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) primarily enriched in energy metabolism pathways. In particular, the PPARs are involved in energy regulation through lipid metabolism. Furthermore, both AS and SS contained the same eight long-chain fatty acids but in different amounts. Interference with PPARs activity in silkworm eggs disrupted the expression of key genes in this pathway, resulting in a significant decrease in hatching rate. Additionally, knockdown of the pathway key gene BmPlin4 led to the reduction in lipid droplets. In conclusion, PPARs regulates the hatching rate of silkworms mainly by affecting lipid metabolism. This study proved the importance of PPARs for hatching and identifies them as potential target genes for population control. Full article

Ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 2 (GDAP2) is a gene involved in hereditary cerebellar ataxia. At present, little is known about the function of GDAP2 in insects. In this study, BmGDAP2 was detected to be highly expressed in the head, epidermis, midgut, and anterior silk glands of silkworms. We generated a knockout mutant, BmGDAP2 (BmGDAP2^KO), using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Compared with that of the wild-type, the growth cycle of BmGDAP2^KO larvae was significantly prolonged, while their body size was reduced. Furthermore, we found 149 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BmGDAP2^KO and the wild-type, including 106 upregulated and 43 downregulated genes. GO annotation analysis indicated that BmGDAP2 primarily influences structural and molecular activities, as well as catalytic and binding functions. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to peroxidase activity, hormone synthesis, apoptosis, and longevity regulation. Further investigation focused on candidate genes related to these pathways. We found that the expression levels of MAD2L1, which can inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis, and Aurka-b, which plays a crucial role in cell cycle regulation, were significantly reduced in BmGDAP2^KO silkworms. These changes may interfere with the normal functions of cell division, leading to the prolonged developmental cycle observed in BmGDAP2^KO larvae. Our findings demonstrate that knockout of BmGDAP2 significantly prolongs the life cycle of Bombyx mori by affecting genes related to autophagy, apoptosis, and hormone regulation. Full article

Bombyx batryticatus is the dried body of silkworm (Bombyx mori Linnaeus) larvae infected with Beauveria bassiana. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating convulsions, epilepsy, and hyperglycemia. In this study, Bombyx batryticatus and its extract were prepared. The total reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities, as well as the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Bombyx batryticatus extract were superior to those of normal silkworm larvae extract. Among them, the IC₅₀ value of Bombyx batryticatus extract for α-glucosidase was 5.76 mg/mL, while that of normal silkworm larvae extract was 7.0 mg/mL. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was employed to compare the material composition of normal silkworm larvae and Bombyx batryticatus. The results revealed 101 metabolic differences between the two groups, including a significant increase in fatty acids and their derivatives in the Bombyx batryticatus extract. Further separation and purification of the Bombyx batryticatus extract were performed using solvents of varying polarity. The chloroform fraction exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.217 mg/mL. LC-MS further identified compounds in the chloroform fraction, suggesting that those alkaloids, fatty acids, and their derivatives may be responsible for its strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. This study elucidates the material basis underlying the pharmacological effects of Bombyx batryticatus, particularly its hypoglycemic components, thereby providing critical experimental support for its future development and application in medicine. Full article

A novel electrochemical detection method utilizing a cost-effective hybrid-modified electrode has been established. A glassy carbon (GC) modified electrode was tested for its ability to measure electrochemical tTG antibody levels, which are essential for diagnosing and monitoring Celiac disease (CD). Tissue transglutaminase protein biomolecules are immobilized on a quantum dots-polypyrrole nanocomposite in the improved electrode. Initial, quantum dots (QDs) were obtained from Bombyx mori silk fibroin and embedded in polypyrrole film. Using carbodiimide coupling, a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer was linked with GQDs-polypyrrole film to improve sensor sensitivity. The tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antigen was cross-linked onto PAMAM using N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)-N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) chemistry to develop a nanoprobe that can detect human serum anti-tTG antibodies. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite were examined by FTIR, UV-visible, FE-SEM, EDX, and electrochemical studies. The novel electrode measures anti-tissue antibody levels in real time using human blood serum samples. The modified electrode has great repeatability and an 8.7 U/mL detection limit. Serum samples from healthy people and CD patients were compared to standard ELISA kit assays. SPSS and Excel were used for statistical analysis. The improved electrode and detection system can identify anti-tissue antibodies up to 80 U/mL. Full article

Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an important economic insect, which mainly feeds on mulberry leaves and is widely used in many research fields. The growth and development of silkworm larvae are easily affected by the use of chemical insecticides such as novaluron, a benzoylurea insecticide. However, the effect of novaluron exposure on the reproduction of silkworms has not yet been studied. In this study, the effect of trace novaluron on the oviposition of silkworms and histopathological changes were first evaluated, and then the gene expression level changes after novaluron exposure were also determined by employing qRT-PCR. It was found that the number of eggs and the hatching rate of eggs in silkworms decreased significantly after feeding on leaves with a trace amount of novaluron (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, novaluron exposure could affect the development of ovary tissue by reducing the number of oocytes and oogonia in the ovaries of silkworms fed with novaluron. In addition, the transcription levels of genes related to ovary development (Vg, Ovo, Otu, Sxl-S and Sxl-L) and hormone regulation (EcR and JHBP2) showed varying degrees of downregulation at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after novaluron treatment (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, we speculated that novaluron can affect the energy metabolism, ovary development, and egg formation of silkworms, thus leading to reproductive disorders of silkworms after novaluron exposure. Full article

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been extensively applied in agricultural pest management, posing a notable ecological risk to beneficial insects like Bombyx mori (silkworms). However, the toxicological mechanisms of Bt at low concentrations on silkworms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we determined the LC₅₀ (96 h) of Bt for fifth-instar silkworm larvae to be 0.08 × 10⁻³ mg/L. Exposure to a sub-lethal concentration of Bt (1/2 LC₅₀) led to significant reductions in body weight, pupal size, and the weights of both the whole cocoon and cocoon shell. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations revealed that Bt exposure caused severe damage to the microvilli and epidermal cells of the midgut. Transcriptome sequencing of the midgut identified 290 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with these genes predominantly involved in metabolic processes and apoptotic pathways. Notably, apoptosis-related genes such as Apaf-1 and Caspase-3 were upregulated by 5.08-fold and 1.27-fold, respectively. Further validation through TUNEL assays and Western blotting analysis confirmed a significant activation of apoptotic signaling. These findings suggested that low concentrations of Bt could trigger apoptotic pathways in the midgut of silkworm larvae, providing valuable insights into the toxicological evaluation of Bt at sub-lethal doses in insect species. Full article

Background: The silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) and its cocoon are rich in bioactive proteins like sericin and fibroin, as well as enzymes such as serrapeptase, which possess anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of various silkworm products, including cocoon patches and extracts from the silkworm body and glands, on the healing of second-degree burns. Methods: Hairless, female SKH-2 mice were used to model second-degree burns. The study tested formulations containing 1%, 10%, or 20% silkworm body or gland extracts, as well as cocoon-derived patches. In addition to histopathological and clinical assessments, the study measured parameters including burn size, hydration, transepidermal water loss and thickness. Results: The results of this study demonstrated that, in terms of primary outcomes (complete healing), both the silkworm cocoon and the 20% body extract significantly promoted wound healing, with similar efficacy. All body extracts showed statistical significance in wound area reduction, while the gland extracts had no significant effect. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the superior healing potential of the body extracts increasing by increased concentration and cocoon. This novel insight into the therapeutic properties of silkworm body extracts opens new opportunities for the development of cost-effective, renewable second-degree burn healing treatments. Full article

Objectives: The unknown immune-enhancing effects of steamed mature silkworms (Bombyx mori L.), known as HongJam (HJ), were investigated. Methods: Supercritical fluid extracts from the White Jade variety of HJ (WJ-SCEs) were applied to in vitro RAW264.7 macrophages (RAWMs) and ex vivo bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Results: WJ-SCE enhanced the proliferation and viability of both RAWMs and BMDMs. Supplementation with WJ-SCE significantly reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of iNOS mRNA and protein, resulting in decreased nitric oxide (NO) production. Additionally, WJ-SCE lowered the mRNA and protein expression of COX-2 and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The mitochondrial function, ATP levels, and reactive oxygen species levels in LPS-treated macrophages were restored following WJ-SCE treatment. WJ-SCE modulated LPS-Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling by reducing the levels of phosphorylated (p)-p38, p-ERK1/2, and p-p65. WJ-SCE also restored gene expression related to cytokines, chemokines, glucose transport, mitochondrial metabolism, and TLR-4 signaling, suggesting the inhibition of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization. Furthermore, WJ-SCE enhanced macrophage phagocytic and pinocytotic activity. Conclusions: WJ-SCE demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting LPS-induced M1 polarization in both macrophage types, potentially suppressing chronic inflammation while enhancing phagocytosis and pinocytosis. Full article