Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Some Maggots Methanol Extracts

Abstract

Entomology Journal publishes original research papers and reviews from any entomological discipline or from directly allied fields in ecology, behavioral biology, Insects offer a source of novel natural compounds that may have therapeutic utility in cancer and other diseases. Antioxidant activity of these extracts was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl radical), and total antioxidant capacity assays. The antioxidant and anticancer effects of the crude extract of maggots namely; Musca domestica, Lucilia sericata and Chrysomya albiceps against the human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco-2), were investigated. The antioxidant activity of tested extracts revealed that the highest DPPH scavenging activity levels were exhibited by methanolic extract of C. albiceps, followed by those of L. sericata and M. domestica. Also, the highest effect was recorded against human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco-2) with L. sericata maggots methanolic extract, followed by those of C. albiceps and M. domestica at the highest concentration used (25 mg/ml). The IC 50 values of tested extracts ranged from 0.27 to 1.91 mg/ml. In conclusion, data suggest that tested extracts possess antioxidant and anticancer properties that may further explored as a potential source for treatment of cancer and other diseases involving oxidative stress.