UVAS research links camel milk peptides to cancer treatment

By Sidra Ashraf, Ph.D. Scholar Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

As per a new study conducted at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore the bioactive peptides derived from camel milk, particularly the casein protein, not only exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant properties but also demonstrate potent anti-cancer effects, paving the way for the development of new, safer, and more effective cancer treatments.
Cancer continues to be a formidable global health challenge, affecting millions annually. In Pakistan, the burden is particularly heavy, with breast, lung, and oral cancers among the most common. 
The high incidence of these cancers highlights the urgent need for more effective and safer treatment options. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, though somewhat effective, often come with severe side effects that diminish patients' quality of life. This has spurred researchers to explore alternative therapies, including bioactive peptides.
Bioactive peptides are short chains of amino acids derived from proteins that have shown significant promise in cancer treatment. These peptides can exhibit various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects, making them potential candidates for cancer therapy. 
An intriguing source of bioactive peptides is camel milk, specifically the casein protein found within it. Through enzymatic hydrolysis, casein can be broken down into smaller peptides using enzymes like pepsin and trypsin. These peptides have been found to offer significant health benefits, including antibacterial properties and the ability to reduce oxidative stress, both crucial in cancer treatment.
The research focused on the health benefits of special proteins from camel milk. The researchers collected camel milk and examined its components, isolating the casein protein. Using enzymes, they  broke down the casein into smaller peptides. The findings revealed that these peptides had excellent antibacterial properties and could significantly reduce harmful oxidation in the body. Most importantly, when tested on cancer cells, these peptides showed strong potential to inhibit cancer cell growth. This suggests that peptides from camel milk could be developed into effective cancer treatments with fewer side effects than traditional therapies.
The study of camel milk casein biopeptides presents a promising avenue for improving health and treating diseases like cancer. As research progresses, these natural peptides could become valuable tools in modern medicine, providing new hope for patients and potentially transforming the landscape of cancer therapy.