Abstract
Pharmacological strategies for obesity management have advanced rapidly with GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists. Despite their clinical efficacy, these treatments remain costly, require ongoing use, and can cause adverse events—highlighting the need for complementary, safe, and sustainable options. Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) has been investigated as a source of bioactive peptides and lipids with preclinical signals relevant to obesity (metabolic and inflammatory pathways) and microbiota modulation. This perspective consolidates species-specific mechanistic pathways for T. molitor and synthesizes them into a single translational framework with implications for nutraceutical development. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo animal models indicates that derivatives—including whole/defatted flours, protein hydrolysates, lipid extracts, and oil fractions—can suppress adipogenesis, improve lipid handling, attenuate inflammatory signaling, regulate appetite, and induce beneficial gut-microbiota shifts; collectively, these effects align with modulation of PPARα/AMPK/MAPK signaling, reduced low-grade inflammation, and engagement of gut–brain axis satiety mechanisms. Human trials with standardized T. molitor formulations remain limited, reinforcing the need for randomized studies with defined compositions and metabolic endpoints. Translational use also requires consideration of allergenicity (arthropod pan-allergens) and heterogeneous regulatory frameworks, emphasizing labeling and ingredient specification.
Novelty: This perspective delivers a species-specific, mechanism-first framework for Tenebrio molitor that unites scientific, technological, and regulatory dimensions. It provides the first integrated mechanistic map linking ingredient classes (flours, hydrolysates, fermented extracts, oils) to pathways and metabolic outcomes, paired with a curated evidence table and concise, practice-oriented safety and regulatory guidance. By stating explicit study-selection criteria and emphasizing standardization of derivatives, dosage/delivery, and long-term safety, the paper advances functional food science with a clear translational scaffold for nutraceutical development and future targeted-outcome evaluations.
Keywords: Tenebrio molitor; bioactive peptides; nutraceuticals; protein hydrolysates; lipid extracts; PPARα; AMPK; MAPK; gut–brain axis; functional food science.