Estimation of Arginine content in milk of Sahiwal cattle supplemented with Masha Parna (black gram foliage): An exploratory attempt for understanding the Ayurvedic concepts in Vajikarana Chikitsa (aphrodisiac therapy)

Abstract

Abstract Background: Various dietetic principles and nutritional facts are addressed in Ayurvedic classical texts. These facts if explored with modern parameters may open up a wide range of research opportunities and a deeper understanding of medical science. Various debates are uprising criticizing the effects of bovine milk on male reproductive health. However, these researches fail to acknowledge various factors that affect the composition of bovine milk. Although ancient in its origin Ayurvedic scriptures, acknowledge these confounders and provide the solutions. Alteration of composition in constituents of milk is achieved by changing the diet of the cows or with various herbal infusions in milk. It is one such supplement that is easily available and cost-effective, and if used in a planned manner could provide various health benefits. Aim: An experiment was conducted on Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus) to determine the effect of supplementation of dried and ground Masha Parna black gram foliage (Vigna mungo L.) on milk composition with special reference to arginine content to understand the Ayurvedic concepts highlighted in Vajikarana Chikitsa (aphrodisiac therapy). Materials and methods: Twelve lactating cows of Sahiwal breed with a mean body weight of 330 + 35 kg between two and six calving mid-lactation were randomly divided into two groups of six each in a completely randomized block design. Two kilograms of dried and ground black gram foliage was fed in divided doses to the cows of the intervention group as an additional supplement in the concentrate mixture for a period of 2 months. The milk samples were estimated for arginine content with ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 501 nm. Parameters such as viscosity, total protein, fat content, and calcium were also analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference (P = 0.67) in the arginine concentration of milk in between the two groups. However, it was observed that the arginine concentration was fairly stable in the intervention group as compared with the control group throughout the study period with an 8.2% gain in the arginine concentration from 0th to 60th day. There was a significant difference (P = 0.04) in the viscosity with relation to the effect of time on all groups accounting for 11.95% of the total variance. There was a significant difference (P = 0.003) in the protein concentration with a 34.8% gain till the end of the study. Fat concentration in the control group was considerably higher with P = 0.008 in comparison with the intervention group. Conclusion: Supplementation of dried and ground black gram foliage to cows had no significant change in the arginine concentration of their milk. However, the 8.2 percentile gain of arginine may suggest an underlying role of the supplemented research drug. Further, exploratory studies on the estimation of the complete milk nutrient profile may provide revelations on the concepts highlighted in Vajikarana Chikitsa.