Anti-rotaviral activity of whey proteins derived from milk of different animal species

Rota viruses are the leading pathogens causing diarrhea in children and animals. Whey protein was shown to contain bioactive ingredients that may activate immune cells and/or prevent infection. The current study was designed to assess whether whey proteins prepared from cow’s, goat’s and camel’s milk could protect against rotavirus. Four groups of Swiss albino mice were treated once daily from the age of 9 to 20 day with whey proteins prepared from cow’s milk (group I), goat’s milk (group ?), farm camel’s milk (group ???) and dessert camel’s milk (group IV) and the fifth group was untreated. All groups were infected with bovine Rota virus (BRV) at the age of 11 day. Disease symptoms, viral shedding in fecal samples and serum levels of anti-BRV antibodies was measured during the post-infection period. Severe diarrhea occurred in 90% of control mice; there was a signi?cantly reduced to 10%, 30%, 40% and 60% in group IV, ???, ? and group I, respectively. Severe diarrhea occurred for a 4-day period in the control group but only for a one day period in group ??, I?, IV and for 2 day in group I. Rota virus-speci?c antibody levels in serum did not differ between groups. Thus, cow’s, goat’s and camel’s whey proteins could be used as a preventive measure for rotaviral disease. Furthermore, whey proteins prepared from dessert’s camel milk have the best anti-rotaviral efficacy for treatment of infected mice followed by those prepared from goat’s milk.