Camel Milk in Skin Cancer Therapeutics: An In-vitro and In-vivo Study

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Camel milk has known therapeutic uses, prompting research into its anti-cancer potential.
• Scientific evidence for camel milk's role in skin cancer prevention was previously lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chemopreventive potential of camel milk against skin cancer.
• To evaluate camel milk's effects on cancer cells and a skin carcinogenesis model.

Main Methods:

• In-vitro studies: MTT, scratch, and flow cytometry assays on A431 cells.
• In-vivo studies: Two-stage skin carcinogenesis model in mice (Mus musculus).
• Biochemical analysis of tumor morphology, oxidative stress markers (LPO, GSH, catalase, SOD), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS assays). GC-MS analysis for compound identification.

Main Results:

• Camel milk demonstrated dose-dependent anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects on cancer cells, inducing G1/S phase arrest.
• In-vivo studies showed reduced tumor parameters and improved histopathological profiles in treated mice.
• Significant reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increase in antioxidant enzymes (GSH, catalase, SOD) were observed, alongside potent antioxidant activities.

Conclusions:

• Camel milk exhibits significant chemo-preventive efficacy against skin cancer, supported by both in-vitro and in-vivo data.
• The study highlights the translational relevance of camel milk's anti-cancer properties.
• Camel milk's antioxidant capacity is identified as the primary mechanism for its chemo-preventive effects, suggesting its potential as an adjunct skin cancer therapy.