The endangered Punganur species of cow, which is found only in Andhra Pradesh and whose urine is said to have anti-diabetic properties. (Photo: DC)

Visakhapatnam: Scientists from the state have discovered that the urine of the endangered Punganur species of cow, which is only found in Andhra Pradesh, has anti-diabetic properties.

Although Ayurvedic scriptures such as the Charaka Samhita, Shushruta Samhita, and Brahad-Wagbhatt attribute several medicinal properties of the urine of cows, so far there has been no scientific evidence of them.

A study was conducted by Dr M. Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy of the Department of Livestock Production and Management, in the College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati. In the study, diabetic rats were administered cow urine distillate and their parameters were monitored.

“Our study was aimed at evaluating the anti-diabetic activity of cow urine in vivo, in rats. Diabetes was induced in the rats by administration of Streptozotocin, and the anti-diabetic effects of three different doses of cow urine was studied in comparison to the standard drug Glibenclamide,” said Dr Reddy.

The parameters assessed were fasting blood glucose levels, serum lipid profiles, liver glycogen levels and initial and final body weight. “The cow urine distillate produced a significant reduction in the elevated blood glucose, serum cholesterol, and serum triglycerides levels. Earlier studies have revealed the presence of antioxidants and free radical scavengers in cow urine, which might be responsible for its anti-diabetic effects,” said Dr Reddy.

The animals treated with cow urine distillate also showed an increase in high-density lipoprotein levels and in body weight. The study was published in the International Research Journal of Pharmacy under the title “Protective Role of Punganur Cow Urine on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes in Rats”. “This communication is the first report on the protective role of cow urine on diabetics in the tropical climate of Andhra Pradesh,” said Dr Reddy.

Renowned diabetologist, Dr K.A.V. Subramanyam, however, remains sceptical about the claims of the study. “There is a chance that the urine has anti-diabetic properties; but it would need widespread clinical trials on human patients. There are many Ayurvedic products in the market that claim to control diabetes, but in most cases they are effective only on some individuals. Many diabetic patients return to allopathy after trying other products,” he said.