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Abstract
Background: Cockroaches considered pests, are a valuable biological resource and people avoid cockroaches due to their appearance or movement that cause psychological disgust. Nonetheless, it’s noteworthy that cockroaches are among the hardy insects that have endured on earth for several million years and possess remarkable abilities to cure illnesses. Throughout the world, especially in East Asia, cockroaches have been used for the benefit of human health due to their biologically active molecule(s), which can be applied to a range of medical conditions.
Aim & objective: This review study explores the potential role of cockroaches in the medical field by reviewing various research studies. Different studies show that the immune system of cockroaches serve as a model for possible advancements in antibiotic research. Cockroach extract, gut microbiome, hemolymph, anti-microbial, anti-cancer and cosmetic properties which could be used as treatment of diseases/therapy. It’s interesting to note that cockroach allergens are utilized in allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), and that cockroach body parts, saliva, and waste can cause asthma and allergies. Effective in treating allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, and stinging insect hypersensitivity, ASIT has the potential to modify the course of the disease. Research will aid in the creation of innovative cockroach allergy treatment and diagnosis, which may eventually result in the avoidance and management of allergic asthma.
Methodology: We reviewed many literature articles from online electronic databases that were PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar databases and many more national and international relevant articles were studied in-detail.
Results & Conclusion: Cockroaches are often viewed as pests but they possess several positive aspects that are frequently overlooked and their ability in medical research, disease control and ecological roles highlight their importance beyond mere nuisance. These positive aspects may highlight the importance of re-evaluating our perception of these remarkable insects. Precision diagnosis and management may become future developments in cockroach immunotherapy, allowing for accurate identification of the problematic allergen.
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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Type: Review Article
J CLIN EXP INVEST, Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2025, Article No: em00850
https://doi.org/10.29333/jcei/17399
Publication date: 09 Nov 2025
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