# Alleviating Effects of Zophobas morio and Tenebrio molitor Larvae Protein Powder on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice

## TL;DR

This study shows that protein powders from two types of insect larvae can reduce inflammation and improve gut health in mice with inflammatory bowel disease.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating the anti-inflammatory and microbiota-modulating effects of Zophobas morio and Tenebrio molitor larvae protein powders in an IBD mouse model.

## Key findings

- ZMLpp and TMLpp reduced disease activity and restored colon length in DSS-induced colitis.
- Both powders downregulated inflammatory cytokines and preserved intestinal structure.
- They improved gut microbiota dysbiosis, increasing beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia.

## Abstract

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic, recurrent intestinal inflammatory disorder with an unclear etiology. Current pharmaceutical therapies for IBD still have several side effects, necessitating safer and more effective strategies. Edible insects are novel nutritional and bioactive resources with potential anti-inflammatory properties, but the effects of Zophobas morio larvae (ZML) and Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) on IBD remain insufficiently explored. A 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model was established to evaluate ZML protein powder (ZMLpp) and TML protein powder (TMLpp). Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, histopathology, inflammatory cell infiltration (LCA/MPO staining), inflammatory cytokines (Ccl2, Cxcl1, Ptgs2, Nf-κb), and intestinal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were determined. The result showed that compared with the DSS group, both ZMLpp and TMLpp significantly reduced DAI, mitigated weight loss and hematochezia/diarrhea, restored colon length, attenuated mucosal damage, and preserved goblet cells and crypts, inflammatory cell infiltration, downregulated cytokine expression, improved fecal microbiota dysbiosis, such as increased abundance of beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia. These findings demonstrate that both ZMLpp and TMLpp alleviate DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting inflammation and modulating the microbiota, supporting their application in IBD therapy and the development of anti-colitis functional foods or pharmaceuticals.