Background/aim: In the Middle East, there is a common belief that the daily intake of camel milk prevents cancer and diabetes. However, the actual anti-cancer and anti-diabetic mechanisms of camel milk remain elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of camel milk exosomes on the viability of human pancreatic cancer cells PANC1 and normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells H6c7.
Methods: Exosomes were isolated from freshly collected camel milk by gradient ultracentrifugation and were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and further confirmed by western blot. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and relative expression of the pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and caspase3) and the anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl2) were determined by real-time PCR.
Results: Interestingly, camel milk exosomes had a selective effect on the cell viability depending on the type of the target cell. These exosomes induced a potent cytotoxic effect on the cancer cells (PANC1), while they improved the viability of the normal pancreatic cells (H6c7). These incredible results were confirmed on a molecular basis. Camel milk exosomes induced a significant increase in Bax and caspase3 and a significant decrease in Bcl2 mRNA levels in PANC1 cells. However, the effect on these markers was reversed when exosomes were added to H6c7 cells.
Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first study to report that exosomes derived from camel milk had a selective anticancer effect on pancreatic cancer cells and a proliferative effect on normal pancreatic cells.