Protective effect of the methanol extract of edible insects against oxidative damages in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes

Abstract

This study investigated the protective effect of edible insect methanol extracts (EIMEs) against oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ in C2C12 cells. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of EIMEs were 7.43–47.15 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of residue and 2.01–31.00 mg catechin equivalents/g of residue, respectively. Among edible insects, Oxya chinensis showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by Allomyrina dichotoma. EIMEs (100 µg/mL) significantly prevented H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in both myoblasts and myotubes. H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione depletion, and lipid peroxidation, all of which were markedly ameliorated by EIMEs in myoblasts in our study. In addition, A. dichotoma prevented the generation of ROS and release of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in myotubes. EIMEs increased the diameter of myotubes and mRNA and protein expression levels of myosin-heavy chains. Our study provides insights into the application of edible insects to regulate muscle differentiation and alleviate oxidative damage to muscles.