Camel Milk: Potential Utility as an Adjunctive Therapy to Peg-IFN/RBV in HCV-4 Infected Patients in Egypt

The molecular basis of the immunomodulatory effects of natural products: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Natural products (NPs) have long been recognized for their potential to modulate the immune system, offering a natural and holistic approach to enhancing immune function. In recent years, the immunomodulation effects of various natural products have attained significant attention.

PURPOSE

This article provides an overview of the role of natural products in immunomodulation, exploring their mechanisms of action, common types of NPs with immunomodulation properties, clinical applications, as well as considerations for their safety and efficacy.

METHODS

Extensive research has been conducted to compile important discoveries on the immunomodulatory properties of NPs through thorough searches of multiple databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus up until January 2024.

RESULTS

By decreasing the levels of Th2 cytokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, the results suggested that NPs have the ability to modulate the immune system. Therefore, NPs alleviate inflammation in various disorders such as asthma and cancer. Furthermore, the observed increase in CD4 cells and IFN-ɣ/IL4 levels, along with an increased IFN-c/IL4 ratio, indicates a stimulatory effect of NPs on Th1 activity in various inflammatory conditions. Therefore, NPs regulate the immune system by inhibiting T-cells and decreasing the growth of young B-cell lymphoma cells.

CONCLUSION

Reviewing studies indicated that NPs have the potential to serve as immunomodulatory candidates for treating disorders characterized by immune dysregulation. However, additional experimental and clinical studies are necessary before these agents can be implemented in clinical settings.

Nutritional significance and promising therapeutic/medicinal application of camel milk as a functional food in human and animals: a comprehensive review

Camel milk (CM) is the key component of human diet specially for the population belongs to the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. CM possess unique composition as compare to the cow milk with abundant amount of medium chain fatty acids in fat low lactose and higher concentration of whey protein and vitamin C. Besides the nutritional significance of CM, it also contains higher concentration of bioactive compounds including bioactive peptides, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), lactoferrin (LF), lactoperoxidase, lysozyme casein and immunoglobulin. Recently, CM and their bioactive compounds gaining more attention toward scientific community owing to their multiple health benefits, especially in the current era of emerging drug resistance and untold side effects of synthetic medicines. Consumption of fresh or fermented CM and its products presumed exceptional nutraceutical and medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. Moreover, CM isolated LAB exhibit antioxidant and probiotic effects leading to enhance the innate and adaptive immune response against both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. The main objective of this review is to highlight the nutritional significance, pharmaceutical potential, medicinal value and salient beneficial health aspect of CM for human and animals.

Camel milk protectiveness toward multiple liver disorders: A review

Camel milk is known as the white gold of the desert because it contains within it a variety of nutrients which play a key role in the human diet. The health benefits of camel milk have been described for a variety of diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, hepatitis, etc. including improved overall survival. A major health burden worldwide is liver diseases, and the ninth leading cause of death in Western countries is due to liver cirrhosis. Treatment is mostly ineffective for cirrhosis, fatty liver, and chronic hepatitis which are the most common diseases of the liver; furthermore current treatments carry the risk of side effects, and are often extremely expensive, particularly in the developing world. A systematic review of studies was performed to determine the association of consumption of camel milk on multiple diseases of the liver. The impact of camel milk on the laboratory tests related to the liver disorders, viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were evaluated. The consumption of camel milk was accompanied by modulation of the values of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in persons who are at risk of liver disease. In the patients with chronic liver disease, it was observed that they have low rates of mortality and low chances of progression to cirrhosis when they consume camel milk. Therefore, in patients with liver diseases, the addition of camel milk to their normal daily diet plan should be encouraged. In this review, camel milk's impact on the different kinds of liver diseases or any disorder associated with liver functioning was evaluated. Camel milk has a therapeutic as well as a preventive role in the maintenance and improving the metabolic regulations of the body.

The Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Camel Milk

Camel milk (CM) has been found to have several health benefits, including antiviral, antibacterial, anti-tumor, anti-fungal, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic and anti-cancer activities. In addition, CM can counter signs of aging and may be a useful naturopathic treatment for autoimmune diseases. The composition of CM varies with geographic origin, feeding conditions, seasonal and physiological changes, genetics and camel health status. In the present review, we collate the diverse scientific literature studying antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of CM and its bioactive compounds. The databases Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched until the end of September 2021 using the keywords: camel milk, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of CM in various inflammatory disorders was consistently reported to be through modulating inflammatory cells and mediators. The common anti-inflammatory bioactive components of CM seem to be lactoferrin. The antioxidant effects of α-lactalbumin, β-caseins and vitamin C of CM work by reducing or inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anions and peroxyl radicals, likely alleviating oxidative stress. Higher levels of protective proteins such as lysozyme, IgG and secretory IgA compared to cow's milk, and insulin-like protein activity of CM on ß cells appear to be responsible for the immunomodulatory properties of CM. The evidence indicates that CM and its bioactive components has the potential to be a therapeutic value for diseases that are caused by inflammation, oxidative stress and/or immune-dysregulation.

Therapeutic potential of camel milk exosomes against HepaRG cells with potent apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenesis effects for colostrum exosomes

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effect of camel milk exosomes derived from colostrum, early, mid, and late lactation periods on liver cancer HepaRG cells. These exosomes showed cytotoxicity on HepaRG while being safer on normal human liver THLE-2 cells. Among the four different isolated exosome groups, exosomes isolated from colostrum exhibited the highest apoptotic potential on HepaRG as indicated by highest DNA damage and upregulated expression of Bax and caspase3 expression, but with lowest Bcl2 expression. HepaRG-treated with colostrum-derived exosomes also exhibited the lowest expression of inflammation-related genes (TNFα, NFkB, TGFβ1, and Cox2) and the angiogenesis-related gene VEGF. Colostrum-derived exosomes had significantly higher expression of lactoferrin and kappa casein than other milk-derived exosomes. These results indicate that colostrum-derived exosomes have a more potent anti-cancer effect on HepaRG cells than exosomes derived from the early, mid, and lat lactation periods. This effect could be mediated through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of inflammation and angiogenesis. Therefore, these exosomes could be used as safe adjuvants/carriers to deliver chemotherapeutics and to potentiate their anticancer effect on liver cancer cells.

Research Development on Anti-Microbial and Antioxidant Properties of Camel Milk and Its Role as an Anti-Cancer and Anti-Hepatitis Agent

Camel milk is a rich source of vitamin C, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), beta-caseins and milk whey proteins, including lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, alpha-lactalbumin and immunoglobulin. The lactoferrin plays a key role in several physiological functions, such as conferring antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory functions in cells. Similarly, the camel milk alpha-lactalbumin has shown greater antioxidative activity because of its higher antioxidant amino acid residues. The antioxidant properties of camel milk have also been ascribed to the structural conformation of its beta-caseins. Upon hydrolysis, the beta-caseins lead to some bioactive peptides having antioxidant activities. Consequently, the vitamin C in camel milk has a significant antioxidant effect and can be used as a source of vitamin C when the climate is harsh. Furthermore, the lysozyme and immunoglobulins in camel milk have anti-microbial and immune regulatory properties. The LAB isolated from camel milk have a protective role against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Moreover, the LAB can be used as a probiotic and may restore the oxidative status caused by various pathogenic bacterial infections. Various diseases such as cancer and hepatitis have been associated with oxidative stress. Camel milk could increase antiproliferative effects and regulate antioxidant genes during cancer and hepatitis, hence ameliorating oxidative stress. In the current review, we have illustrated the anti-microbial and antioxidant properties of camel milk in detail. In addition, the anti-cancer and anti-hepatitis properties of camel milk have also been discussed.

Camel milk exosomes modulate cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress and immuno-toxicity in rats

Camel milk proteins exhibit many beneficial properties including immuno-modulatory and anti-oxidant effects. Recent studies demonstrated that most of these properties are ascribed to the presence of extracellular nanovesicles known as exosomes. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of the immuno-modulatory and anti-oxidant properties of camel milk exosomes on the immuno-toxicity and oxidative stress induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) in albino rats. Exosomes were isolated from camel milk and exosomal kappa casein and lactoferrin mRNAs were detected and then sequenced. CTX was used to induce immunosuppression in rats, which were further treated with camel milk and its exosomes. The alterations in biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, cytokine profile, spleen histopathology and flow cytometric analysis were detected. Treatment with CTX resulted in a significant decrease in total protein, albumin, globulin, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels associated with a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) when compared with the control group. Moreover, CTX depleted lymphocytes in the spleen tissue, significantly reduced the expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the spleen cells and decreased the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell percentages in the blood and spleen, while it induced a significant increase in the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Co-administration of camel milk exosomes was able to normalize the antioxidant status and most of the biochemical and immunological parameters. This study clarifies that camel milk and its exosomes successfully ameliorate immunosuppression and oxidative stress induced by CTX in rats.

Potential antioxidant bioactive peptides from camel milk proteins

Camel milk is traditionally considered to have medicinal characteristics that it has potential health benefits and could help to treat several illnesses. Particularly, it is closest to human breast milk and has high levels of nutrients and bioactive components. The aim of this study was to explore the antioxidant peptides derived from protein fractions of camel milk. Camel milk proteins (CMP) were fractionated into camel casein protein (CCP) and camel whey protein (CWP), which were hydrolyzed with pepsin to produce peptic digests P-CCP and P-CWP, respectively. RP-HPLC was used for fractionation of the peptides from the P-CCP and P-CWP. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using superoxide anion generating system of xanthine oxidase (XOD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. Active peptides were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) whereas a number of antioxidant peptides, with masses ranging from 913 to 2,951 Da, derived mainly from alpha-casein, lactophorin and lactoferrin, were identified. When yeast cells are used as a system for modeling mitochondrial disease, the peptides in caseins and whey fractions significantly enhanced the tolerance of yeast cells against peroxide-induced oxidative stress. The results show that both caseins and whey proteins of camel milk possess bioactive peptides with significant radical-scavenging activities and thus herald a fascinating opportunity for their potential as nutraceuticals or therapeutic peptides for prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Therapeutic Effect of Camel Milk and Its Exosomes on MCF7 Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Background/Objectives: In the Middle East, people consume camel milk regularly as it is believed to improve immunity against diseases and decrease the risk for cancer. Recently, it was noted that most of the beneficial effects of milk come from their nanoparticles, especially exosomes. Herein, we evaluated the anticancer potential of camel milk and its exosomes on MCF7 breast cancer cells (in vitro and in vivo) and investigated the possible underlying molecular mechanism of action. Methods/Results: Administration of camel milk (orally) and its exosomes (orally and by local injection) decreased breast tumor progression as evident by (a) higher apoptosis (indicated by higher DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity, Bax gene expression, and lower Bcl2 gene expression), (b) remarkable inhibition of oxidative stress (decrease in MDA levels and iNOS gene expression); (c) induction of antioxidant status (increased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPX), (d) notable reduction in expression of inflammation-(IL1b, NFκB), angiogenesis-(VEGF) and metastasis-(MMP9, ICAM1) related genes; and (e) higher immune response (high number of CD⁺4, CD⁺8, NK1.1 T cells in spleen). Conclusions: Overall, administration of camel milk–derived exosomes showed better anticancer effect, but less immune response, than treatment by camel milk. Moreover, local injection of exosomes led to better improvement than oral administration. These findings suggest that camel milk and its exosomes have anticancer effect possibly through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis and metastasis in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, camel milk and its exosomes could be used as an anticancer agent for cancer treatment.

Influence of camel milk on the hepatitis C virus burden of infected patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a world health problem and no protective vaccine or effective drug currently exists. For economic reasons, many patients use traditional medicines to control the infection. In Egypt, camel milk is one of the traditional medicines widely consumed by patients infected with HCV. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of camel milk in the treatment of patients infected with HCV. Whole camel milk from a local farm was administered to patients for 4 months (250 ml/day/patient). Patient sera were collected prior to and following camel milk drinking, and three markers were set-up for sera-evaluation. The three markers indicating the effect of camel milk on HCV infection were: Liver function assays [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)]; a viral load assay; and anti-HCV antibodies profile and isotyping against synthetic HCV epitopes. Camel milk demonstrated the ability to improve general fatigue, health and liver function (ALT and AST levels); ALT was reduced in ~88% of patients and AST was reduced in all patients subsequent to drinking camel milk for four months. The majority of patients responded positively to camel milk treatment; RNA viral load decreased in 13 out of the 17 patients (76.47%) and one patient exhibited undetected viremia following camel milk treatment. The anti-HCV antibodies profile and isotyping were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 following treatment in 70-76% of patients. However, the treatment was ineffective in 23.53% of patients who experienced no reduction in RNA viral load following treatment with camel milk. In conclusion, whole camel milk treatment demonstrated efficacy in vivo; the viral load in the majority of patient sera was reduced and the IgG isotype profile was converted to Th1 immunity.