Bear bile: dilemma of traditional medicinal use and animal protection

Abstract

Bear bile has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Modern investigations showed that it has a wide range of pharmacological actions with little toxicological side effect and the pure compounds have been used for curing hepatic and biliary disorders for decades. However, extensive consumption of bear bile made bears endangered species. In the 1980's, bear farming was established in China to extract bear bile from living bears with "Freedripping Fistula Technique". Bear farming is extremely inhumane and many bears died of illness such as chronic infections and liver cancer. Efforts are now given by non-governmental organizations, mass media and Chinese government to end bear farming ultimately. At the same time, systematic research has to be done to find an alternative for bear bile. In this review, we focused on the literature, laboratory and clinical results related to bear bile and its substitutes or alternative in English and Chinese databases. We examined the substitutes or alternative of bear bile from three aspects: pure compounds derived from bear bile, biles from other animals and herbs from TCM. We then discussed the strategy for stopping the trading of bear bile and issues of bear bile related to potential alternative candidates, existing problems in alternative research and work to be done in the future.

Chemical and biological analysis of active free and conjugated bile acids in animal bile using HPLC-ELSD and MTT methods

“…however, a comprehensive study on the chemical composition and bioactivity of animal bile is necessary. Studies have revealed that pB solution has similar pharmacological action as bear bile in regards to its antiinflmmatory, anticonvulsive and analgesic activities (1). It has been reported that pB is used as an alternative to bear bile in specific Chinese Medicinal formulas (2).…”

“…chinese medical practice has a long history in attenuating fever, toxification, inflammation, swelling, pain, liver diseases and cancer (1). the use of bear bile is now illegal since bears are classified as endangered animal species in CITES.…”

“…however, prevention and treatment of liver cancer remain inadequate. in the theory and practice of traditional chinese medicine, bear bile has been widely used for fighting fever, toxins, inflammation, swelling, pain, liver diseases and cancer (1). however, due to increasing concerns that obtaining bile from bears is cruel and inhuman, bear farming and bile collection has been restricted in china and worldwide by government policies.…”

MOK, a Pharmacopuncture Medicine, Reduces Inflammatory Response through Inhibiting the Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in LPS-stimulated Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages※

“…Bovis calculus has been reported to exhibit antispasmodic, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gallbladder-repairing effects 13) . Hominis placenta is a rich source of various bioactive substances, including peptides, nucleic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, minerals, and trace elements 14,15) and is known to have various pharmacological effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and regeneration, especially acceleration of wound healing 12,16,17) . However, a comparison of the biolog- .…”

“…Bovis Calculus is a heat-clearing and an orifice-opening medicine. hypotensive, anti-tussive and anti-asthmatic, and anti-stress and relaxing effects in modern pharmacological research 6,12) . Bovis calculus has been reported to exhibit antispasmodic, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gallbladder-repairing effects 13) .…”