Hepato-protective assessment study of Hydrous indicus and Gryllotalpa orientalis, the highly consumed edible insects of Manipur, North-eastern states of India

Abstract

This study presents the first hepatoprotective assessment of Hydrous indicus and Gryllotalpa orientalis, two commonly consumed edible insects of Manipur. The results reveal that in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of the compounds-HepG2, Gryllotalpa orientalis, was found to be more effective than Hydrous indicus; in vitro hepato-protective effect of the compound/HepG2, the effect was not observed; in Super Oxide Dismutase Activity Assay (SOD), highest enzyme activity (SOD) was observed in Hydrous indicus when cells were exposed to sample Hydrous indicus only, and lowest enzyme activity (SOD) was observed when cells were exposed with Gryllotalpa orientalis (IC$_{50}$ dose) and H$_2$O$_2$, both with respect to control; in estimation of MDA content (TBARS assay), it was observed that Hydrous indicus treatment lowers MDA content, while Gryllotalpa orientalis and H$_2$O$_2$ treatments cause high oxidative stress; in estimation of reduced glutathione, highest reduced glutathione was estimated in Hydrous indicus, which provides stronger protection by maintaining higher GSH levels, whereas Gryllotalpa orientalis offers moderate protection, and both samples show reduced GSH under H$_2$O$_2$-induced stress. Further, both exhibited notable antioxidant activity in the CUPRAC assay, with Gryllotalpa orientalis being the more effective antioxidant source. The DPPH assay results reveal that both treatments exhibit minimal free radical scavenging activity, with the cell lysate + FC + H$_2$O$_2$ group showing the highest value (7.3%). In Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity, both samples show measurable LDH activity, with Hydrous indicus showing a stronger response than Gryllotalpa orientalis. In Alkaline Phosphate Activity, it was found to be observed in both the samples. Thus, the results of the study suggest that Hydrous indicus and Gryllotalpa orientalis were found to possess high hepato-protective properties and thus can be a big help in treating liver disease in future India.