An Alkaline Protease-Digestion of Silkworm Powder Enhances Its Effects Over Healthspan, Autophagy, and Mitochondria Function in a Rotenone-Induced Model.

Background: Recent studies have reported that steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworms, also known as HongJam, have various health-promoting effects.

Objective: The goal of this study was to elucidate changes in the various health-promoting effects of HongJam, after its digestion with a food-grade protease.

Materials And Methods: We examined whether healthspan-promotion and rotenone-induced loss of motor-control prevention effects were enhanced in fed with food-grade alkaline protease-digested HongJam compared to those fed with non-digested HongJam.