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Does cow urine have anti-infective properties?

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(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Topic: GS2 – Social justice – Health
Context
  • IIT-Madras director V. Kamakoti claimed that cow urine has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • He referred to five peer-reviewed papers to support his statements, which sparked viral reactions and questions about their validity.

Details of the Papers Cited

  • Peptide Profiling in Cow Urine
    • Published in Nature Scientific Reports in 2021, this study analyzed peptides in bovine urine.
    • Experts, however, stated that the study was a basic analysis of urine and did not support medicinal claims.
    • There are similar studies on other mammal urine, and the study did not suggest human consumption of cow urine.
  • Benefits of Cow Urine
    • This paper, published in 2017, listed several claimed health benefits of cow urine, such as treating diseases like diabetes, kidney issues, and cancer.
    • Experts, however, warned that consuming urine could be harmful due to the presence of bacteria.

Other Studies on Cow Urine

  • A 2022 study by Dr. Bhoj Roj Singh found that cow urine contains harmful bacteria, including E. coli, and does not inhibit bacterial growth.
  • Even urine distillates, sold commercially, were found to contain microbes, making their consumption risky and not therapeutically beneficial. 
Practice Question:  What are the potential benefits and harmful effects of cow dung and cow urine, particularly in the context of their use for medicinal purposes. Highlight the scientific evidence supporting these claims and the risks associated with their improper use. (150 Words /10 marks)

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