Potential of crocodile blood as a medication and dietary supplement: A systemic review

Chook, Chui Yiu Bamboo; Chen, Francis M.; Leung, Fung Ping; Chen, Zhenyu; Wong, Wing Tak

doi:10.1111/1440-1681.13524

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 102 publications

(226 reference statements)

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“…Heavy metals, radiation, and pathogenic microorganisms are no match for a crocodile's resistance to these threats to its health. Earlier studies have shown that the lysates of several organs from the crocodile's body (heart, lungs, liver, brain intestines, bile, and gallbladder) have antibacterial anti-tumor effects [1], with antibacterial and woundhealing qualities features of crocodile blood [2]. Crocodile oil (CO) was shown to be effective in the treatment of asthma, emphysema, flu, persistent cough, phlegm-producing mucus, skin ulcers, burns, cancer, and wounds [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crocodile Oil Modulates Inflammation and Immune Responses in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

et al. 2022

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Crocodile oil (CO) is generated from the fatty tissues of crocodiles as a by-product of commercial aquaculture. CO is extensively applied in the treatment of illnesses including asthma, emphysema, skin ulcers, and cancer, as well as wound healing. Whether CO has anti-inflammatory properties and encourages an immune response remains uncertain. The impact of CO on inflammatory conditions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and the mechanisms behind it were examined in this work. Cells were treated with 0.125–2% CO dissolved in 0.5% propylene glycol with or without LPS. The production and expression of inflammatory cytokines and mediators were also examined in this research. CO reduced the synthesis and gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Consistently, CO inhibited the expression and synthesis of inflammatory markers including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Furthermore, CO reduced the effects of DNA damage. CO also increased the cell-cycle regulators, cyclins D2 and E2, which improved the immunological response. CO might thus be produced as a nutraceutical supplement to help avoid inflammatory diseases.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crocodile Oil Modulates Inflammation and Immune Responses in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

et al. 2022

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“…The discrepancy in findings between the two studies may be attributed to differences in participants' initial iron status. In addition, the study showed a single-time oral treatment of crocodile blood supplement that upregulated the antioxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase (Chook et al, 2021) may lead to an adaptive response resulting in increased resistance to oxidative stress, which is related to the relationship between VO2 and TNF-α inflammation in the exercising muscles (Rosado-Perez & Mendoza-Nunez, 2018). Another possible explanation for the lack of supplementation effect on lactate in the time trial is the large training effect observed in the study, which may have obscured any supplementation effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Blood from crocodilians has notably lower concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc compared with human and pig blood. Despite the substantial difference in iron content between fresh crocodilian and pig blood, the iron content of freeze-dried crocodile blood (164 mg/100 g) has been reported to be similar to that of freeze-dried pig (149.01 ± 3.81 mg/100 g) and chicken (181.66 ± 1.01 mg/100 g) blood (Chook et al, 2021). No studies have evaluated changes in hematological response and aerobic capacity with freeze-dried crocodile blood supplementation combined with hypoxic training.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

The Effect of Hypoxic Exercise Combined with Crocodile Blood Supplementation on Aerobic Capacity and Hematological Variables in Athletes

Thuwakum,

Manimmanakorn,

Chaeychomsri

et al. 2024

Teor. metod. fiz. vihov.

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Study purpose. This study aimed to compare the effects of hypoxic exercise combined with crocodile blood supplementation on hematological and maximum oxygen consumption parameters in soccer players. Materials and methods. This study included 39 male soccer players aged 21.69 ± 1.98 years who were randomized to three groups. All groups performed the same training program, which comprised treadmill exercise at 70%–75% of maximum heart rate for 7 weeks with sessions of 30 min/day and 3 days per week. The first group was the control placebo group (CG, n = 13), the second group received one capsule per day (60 mg) of a freeze-dried crocodile blood supplement (SUP, n = 13), and the third group received the freeze-dried crocodile blood supplement and performed the training program under hypoxic conditions (H-SUP, n = 13, FiO2 = 16.3%). A hematological evaluation was conducted and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured using the Bruce protocol treadmill test. Results. The H-SUP group demonstrated significantly higher erythropoietin (EPO) levels (14.40 ± 2.41 mIU/mL) compared to the SUP group (11.50 ± 2.08 mIU/mL) and CG (12.01 mIU/mL) after the intervention. From pre- to post-intervention, VO2max significantly increased in the H-SUP (Pre: 45.63 ± 4.75, Post: 49.33 ± 5.81) and SUP groups (Pre: 44.59 ± 4.75, Post: 47.30 ± 5.68) but not in the CG. Conclusions. This study reveals that a combination of freeze-dried crocodile blood supplementation and hypoxic exercise causes hematological alterations, particularly the activation of EPO secretion, and increases VO2max in soccer players.

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“…FD is just one part of this diversity. Crocodylian blood has been found to contain antimicrobial peptides which may have future medical uses through anti‐tumour and anti‐bacterial ability (Chook et al, 2021). These potential uses of crocodylian peptides provide a clear example of an unanticipated value, and conserving crocodylians thus enhances our chances of having such options in the future (Molina‐Venegas et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using functional traits to identify conservation priorities for the world's crocodylians

et al. 2022

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1. Over half of all crocodylians are threatened with extinction, with many species considered to be functionally extinct throughout their historical ranges. How such losses impact crocodylian functional diversity (FD) and its conservation is poorly understood, but can be investigated using measurable traits. Where such information is unavailable, phylogenetic diversity (PD) has been proposed as an effective strategy to capture FD, but this assumption is not well tested.2. We constructed a global trait database for 28 extant crocodylians, and quantified their FD, distinctiveness and groupings. Functionally distinctive crocodylians include the most and least evolutionarily distinct species, likely because unusual trait values and combinations can be produced by both evolutionary isolation and evolutionarily recent adaptive radiation. We identified four functional groups of crocodylians, within which species have similar ecological roles.Highly distinctive species, such as the gharial, fit less well into functional groups.3. We combined functional distinctiveness (FUD) and threat ranking scores to prioritise species for conservation. The metric is termed Ecologically Distinct and Globally Endangered (EcoDGE), and we tested how well it operates to preserve crocodylian FD among extant Crocodylia. Under current extinction scenarios, 32%-38% of crocodylian FD might be lost within 100 years. Losses increase to 48% if all threatened species go extinct, with Asia identified as a hotspot of threatened FD in crocodylians. Highly threatened distinctive species lead this extinction scenario, exacerbated by clusters of species sharing traits linked to high extinction risk. These traits include habitat specialism and lower reproductive investment; in contrast, species that tolerate climate extremes are more resilient.4. Prioritising at-risk species based on FUD and threat status appears to be an effective way to conserve present-day crocodylian diversity. Conservation prioritisation based on the EcoDGE metric performed well to minimise projected losses in FD. Among extant crocodylians, FD losses are projected when high diversity overlaps with high extrinsic threats. 5. We then examined the utility of PD-based measures as surrogates for FD conservation, to better understand the advantages and drawbacks of such substitutions.

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Potential of crocodile blood as a medication and dietary supplement: A systemic review

Cited by 7 publications

References 102 publications

Crocodile Oil Modulates Inflammation and Immune Responses in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Crocodile Oil Modulates Inflammation and Immune Responses in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

The Effect of Hypoxic Exercise Combined with Crocodile Blood Supplementation on Aerobic Capacity and Hematological Variables in Athletes

Using functional traits to identify conservation priorities for the world's crocodylians

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