Pharmacological potential of cow urine from Red Sindhi breed: In-vitro study on antimicrobial and cytoprotective properties

Background:Cow urine, a central component in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, is credited with therapeutic benefits for various ailments.Recent research has emphasized the importance of breed-specific studies, but most findings are limited to only a few breeds.This study investigates the pharmacological efficacy of urine from the Red Sindhi breed, evaluating its antimicrobial and cytoprotective properties.Materials and Methods: Urine samples were collected from adult, pregnant, lactating, and calf Red Sindhi cows under aseptic conditions, filtered, and distilled.The Cow urine samples' antimicrobial activity was tested against two Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gramnegative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris) using well diffusion assays.Cytotoxicity and cell viability in human normal fibroblast and HepG2 cells were assessed through MTT assays, while mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial mass (MM), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured for oxidative stress assessment.Results: Raw and distilled cow urine (ARCU, ADCU) from adult Red Sindhi exhibited antibacterial activity, particularly against Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis, comparable to chloramphenicol.MTT assays showed no significant cytotoxicity, with both ARCU and ADCU supporting cell viability in fibroblast and HepG2 cells.Antioxidant analysis indicated enhanced MMP, MM, and reduced ROS levels in treated cells, suggesting protective effects against oxidative stress. Conclusions:The study demonstrates that Red Sindhi cow urine possesses notable antibacterial, and cytoprotective activities.These findings underscore the potential of Red Sindhi cow urine as a therapeutic agent, supporting its traditional use in Ayurveda and encouraging further studies on breed-specific efficacy.