Is camel’s urine friend or enemy? Review of its role in human health or diseases

Abstract

Camels play important role in the pastoral mode of life by fulfilling basic demands of livelihood. Various pathologies, such as, tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, ascites, increase size of the of the abdomen, gas colic, anemia, and abdominal tumors were treated with animal’s urine, including camels, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, elephants, and buffalo. Thirty different compounds were analyzed in camel urine by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). For inductively coupled plasma (ICP) – mass spectrometry (MS) analysis 28 important elements were analyzed in urine of both camel and bovine. It was found that, the inorganic elements are almost similar except sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium are higher in levels in camel urine while chromium is high in bovine urine. Camel urine contains also different nanoparticles, crystals and nano-rods with varying shapes and sizes which offer potent selective cytotoxic activity against several lines of cancer cells. It is believed that the camel’s urine has therapeutic effect for a wide range of diseases such as chill, fever, or even tumors; therefore, it has been consumed in the Arabian Peninsula for long time. Usually, Patients take it directly or by mixing few drops with camel milk. The camel urine is used also for therapeutic purposes most widely in Asia, Africa, United States, United Kingdom and other European countries. The religious aspect of using camel urine in treatment comes from the fact that there has been convincing evidence that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) suggested use of camel urine to treat his companions who were suffering from abdominal pains at that time. The camel’s urine has anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It has also hepato-protective and cardiovascular effects.