Bombyx mori – A Review of its Potential as a Medicinal Insect

Abstract

The importance of various stages of the silkworm, Bombyx mori viz., eggs, larvae, pupae, moths and its products, by-products and waste products as a potential medicinal source has been indicated. Larvae have been identified as a possible source of adipokinetic hormone (AKH), chymotrypsin inhibitors, ß- N -acetylglucosaminidase, sex pheromone bombykol, amino acids, etc., apart from their value as health food especially for cardiac and diabetic patients, bronchial asthma, primary trigeminal neuralgia, vocal nodules and polyps and in the treatment of facial palsy and pain. Pupae are a source of proteins, vitamin B 1, B 2 and E, diapause hormone, amino acids, etc., and form a part of antibacterial and antihistaminic preparations. Male moths are used to treat sterility. Paste chlorophyll, pectin, phytol, carotene and triacontanol, solanesol, etc., extracted from silkworm feces are used in the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, acute pancreatitis, chronic nephritis, stomach and gastric disorders, leukocytopenia, blood cholesterol, etc. Phytol is used in the preparation of vitamin E and K while carotene in vitamin A. Pelade obtained from reeled cocoons is read-ily digestible and forms a valuable ingredient of food. It reduces cholesterol and blood sugar. Chrysalises separated from pelade contain palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids and serve as a food additive and in pharmaceutical preparations.