Available sustainable alternatives replace endangered animal horn based on their proteomic analysis and bio-effect evaluation

Abstract

The use of endangered animal products in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other ethno-medicines is culturally widespread across many regions of Asia. In the present study, traditional efficacies of seven types of animal horn including antipyretic, sedative and procoagulant activities were evaluated. Shotgun proteomic analysis was performed on material from horns following separation into soluble and insoluble fractions. Over 200 proteins were identified in each sample using nano LC-MS/MS, and these were classified according to their molecular function and cellular component using principal component analysis (PCA). The results indicated that seven horns showed antipyretic, sedative and procoagulant effect. Proteomic analysis showed that YH and WBH were similar to RH in terms of protein profile, and GH was similar to SAH. In addition, YH and GH were similar to RH in their cellular component classification profile. PCA based on the composition of keratin and keratin-associated proteins showed that constituents of WBH and GH were similar to RH and SAH, respectively. This is the first analysis of the protein content of animal horns used in TCM, and it is effective to substitute the horn of endangered animals with sustainable alternatives from domestic animals.

Identification of short‐chain poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrates in Saiga horn extracts using LC–MS/MS

“…Another study that evaluated the effect of animal horns on yeast‐induced fever in rats found that one hour after the oral administration, Saiga horn extract significantly reduced the levels of TNF‐α and PGE2. Two hours after the oral administration, the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were significantly reduced while the level of PGE2 returned to a level similar to the fever group . Again, this indicates that the fever‐lowering effect may be attributed to BHB.…”

Credibility and Trust Issues Stemming from an Ambiguous Science Frame: Reducing Demand for Rhino Horn in Vietnam with the Fingernail Metaphor

“…Modern clinical Chinese research found that horns of water buffalo, domestic cattle, yaks and goats could be substituted for rhino horn, as they have similar chemical compositions and medical actions (Nowell, 2012, Liu et al, 2016. Hence, Liu et al (2016) found rhino horn was not "not especially unique or indispensable" (p. 9). Horns, hooves and nails of different species are not the same chemically, as they all vary in the make up of their keratin protein composition (Nowell, 2012).…”

“…2). The pharmacopoeia of The Divine Peasants Herbal (Shennong Bencao Jing,Han dynasty, listed rhino horn as a detoxifier and nonspecific health tonic (Liu et. al, 2016;Nowell, 2012).…”

Further evidence for sustainable alternatives to replace threatened animal horn based on quantitative proteomic analysis

“…The feasibility of using horns from non endangered, abundant, and domesticated species as replacement for RH and SAH is being investigated. RH has been replaced by WBH in clinical applications , and GH is also currently used in the clinic and in the pharmaceutical industry as a substitute for SAH .…”

“…In our previous research, over 200 proteins were identified from animal horns, including a large number of keratins (KRTs). Nano‐LC‐MS/MS was used for protein/peptide identification and characterization of animal horns, and some meaningful results were obtained . The proteomic composition of GH is similar to that of SAH, and WBH is similar to RH.…”