Zamzam Water Mitigates Cardiac Toxicity Risk through Modulation of GUT Microbiota and the Renin-angiotensin System

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to exert a substantial global influence in specific areas due to population growth, aging, microbiota, and genetic/environmental factors. Drinking water has a strong impact on the health of an individual. Further, emerging evidence has highlighted the therapeutic potential and benefits of Zamzam water (Zam).

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the influence of Zam on doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity, elucidating its consequential effects on GUT microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic and renal functions.

METHODS

Male rats were categorized into four groups: Group 1 as Normal control (NC), Group 2 as Zamzam control (ZC), Group 3 Disease control (DC) and Group 4 as Therapeutic control (DZ) treated with Zam against doxorubicin-induced disease at a dose of 1mg/kg boy weight) intraperitoneally (i.p).

RESULTS

Significant dysbiosis in the composition of GM was observed in the DC group along with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum levels of Zinc, interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6 and Angiotensin II (Ang II), while C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and CKMB increased significantly (restoration of Zinc ions (0.72 ± 0.07 mcg/mL) compared to NC. Treatment with Zamzam exhibited a marked abundance of 18-times to 72% in Romboutsia, a genus of firmicutes, along with lowering of Proteobacteria in DZ followed by significant restoration of Zinc ions (0.72 ± 0.07 mcg/mL), significant (p ˂ 0.05) reduction in CRP (7.22 ± 0.39 mg/dL), CKMB (118.8 ± 1.02 U/L) and Fibrinogen (3.18 ± 0.16 mg/dL), significant (p < 0.05) increase in IL-10 (7.22 ± 0.84 pg/mL) and IL-6 (7.18 ± 0.40 pg/ml), restoration of Ang II (18.62 ± 0.50 nmol/mL/min), marked increase in renin with normal myocyte architecture and tissue orientation of kidney, and restoration of histological architecture of hepatocyte.

CONCLUSION

Zam treatment mitigated cardiac toxicity risk through the modulation of GUT microbiota and the renin-angiotensin system and tissue histology effectively.

Antibacterial effectiveness of probiotic-based experimental mouthwash against cariogenic pathogen: An in vitro study

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of probiotic-experimental-based mouthwash (MW) against Streptococcus mutans in vitro.

Materials and Methods:

Antimicrobial screening of two active additives (probiotic-zamzam) was tested against S. mutans using disc diffusion method. A total of three MWs; (1) an experimental MW base formula, (2) an experimental MW base formula with the two active additives, and (3) commercial MW (hexitol), were evaluated against S. mutans by well diffusion method after 24 h and 72 h storage period. The survival profile of probiotic strain in the experimental MW was determined using colony counting method as well as the pH changes at three intervals. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and t-test to compare the inhibition zone diameter.

Results:

For active additives, probiotic strain exhibited higher mean inhibition zones values than zamzam water against S. mutans. Regarding the inhibition zones for the three tested MWs, the experimental MW showed significant increase in the inhibition zone after 72 h, while there was insignificant change with commercial MW. For probiotic count in MW, there was insignificant change in bacterial count after 24 h, and significant decrease after 15 days, followed by insignificant change after 30 days. For the pH values of the experimental MW, a statistically insignificant change was found after 24 h, significant decrease after 15 days and insignificant change after 30 days.

Conclusions:

The probiotic-zamzam experimental MW was effective in reducing S. mutans. Zamzam water could be considered as prebiotic ingredient. Therefore, the probiotic-zamzam MW has a potential therapeutic value.

Effect of Zamzam water on blood methemoglobin level in young rats

BACKGROUND

Methemoglobin (MetHb) level in blood indicates exposure to nitrogenous compounds. Acquired methemoglobinemia as a result of exposure to nitrates in drinking water is primarily an issue for infants. The amount of nitrates in Zamzam water is said to be on the high side. This study was designed to determine the effect of prolonged use of Zamzam water on MetHb in rat pups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rat pups (n = 52, 3 weeks old) were divided into four equal groups. All of them were given normal laboratory chow. The groups differed only in the exclusive source of water, that is ordinary bottled water, standardized mineral water, old Zamzam water (stored since 2008) or fresh Zamzam water. MetHb level was checked (using Avoximeter 4000) at the baseline, and then every week for 4 weeks from blood obtained from retro-orbital sinus. Other parameters tested were total haemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin. ANOVA was used to compare the means between the groups.

RESULTS

None of the rats in any of the four groups showed any sign of methemoglobinemia or toxicity. Both groups on Zamzam water showed higher increments in their total hemoglobin by the end of the study compared to their baseline (22%) than the ordinary water (9%) and the mineral water (5%) groups. None of the groups showed any significant difference in MetHb levels on intergroup comparison at any of the weekly readings and at the end of the study.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged use of Zamzam water did not induce any significant difference in MetHb concentration in rat pups, which might indicate that it is safe for infants.