Abstract
In Ayurveda, cow urine (Gomutra) occupies a unique place and has been recognized as water of life or ―Amrita‖. In Sushruta Samhita, it has been described as the most effective substance of animal origin. In India, drinking of cow urine has been practiced for thousands of years. Kamdhenu or Indian cow (Bos indicus) is worshipped as sacred animal by Hindus. The reason for worshipping is the tremendous therapeutic values of cow derived products like cow milk, cow milk curd, cow butter (ghee), cow urine, cow dung and a combination formulation Panchgavya. The use of these products has been well defined in ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charak samhita, Shushruta samhita, Brahad-Wagbhatt etc. Cow ghee showed anticancer and hepatoprotective potential by altering the enzymatic activities whereas cow urine acts by an unknown mechanism.The effect of cow urine formulation (Gomutra ark, GoA) on experimental alloxan-induced diabetes in rats was studied. Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 200-250 g were used. The biochemical parameters observed were blood sugar, vitamin C and malondialdehyde(MDA) release. GoA significantly lowers blood glucose in diabetic rats although the observed effect was found to be less than standard antidiabetic, glibenclamide. It is suggested that GoA might have a significant protective effect against alloxan-induced type I Diabetes Mellitus. GoA contains volatile fatty acids like acetic acid 2 propenyl ester, acetic acid methyl ester, 2 2 3 trichloro propionic acid, Butanoic acid-3methyl, propyl ester, 1H indol-3acetate, acetic acid phenyl ester, quinoline, which act as an antioxidant. The antioxidant potential might be contributing for the antihyperglycemic effect, by preventing formation of the free radicals which cause damage to the beta cells of pancreas. There are so many claims regarding the use of cow urine. Out of these the most important claim is regarding its antidiabetic and antioxidant activity, but only few scientific literatures are available to support this claim.