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Research on donkey milk · Study 23
Donkey milk powder, intestinal barrier & microbiome
A 2025 study examined reconstituted donkey milk powder in a DSS-induced colitis model in mice. The focus was on inflammatory processes, the intestinal barrier, mucosal protection and changes in the microbiome.
The research question
What was observed with reconstituted donkey milk powder in the gut model?
The researchers examined the entire reconstituted donkey milk powder matrix. In the animal model, experimental colitis was induced with DSS. Inflammatory messengers, the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, intestinal barrier proteins, markers of mucosal protection and the gut microbiome were analysed.
The results describe changes in this mouse model. They are not proof of a therapeutic effect of donkey milk in humans.
Experimental setup
40 mice · four groups · 21 days
Reconstituted powder
The study used a redissolved donkey milk powder solution.
Experimental colitis
From day 15, colitis was induced chemically with DSS in the experimental model.
Several levels
Inflammation, intestinal barrier, mucosal markers and microbiome were among the parameters examined.
Observations in the mouse model
Inflammation, barrier and mucosa in focus
TNF-α · IL-1β · IL-18
These pro-inflammatory markers were measured lower in connection with administration of donkey milk powder.
Occludin & ZO-1
Barrier proteins such as occludin and ZO-1 were higher.
MUC2 & other markers
MUC2 as well as Reg3α, Reg3γ and Alpi were described as increased.
TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB
A central inflammation-related signalling pathway was less active with the intervention examined.
Attenuated damage
The overall finding was consistent with attenuated DSS colitis in the mouse model used.
Changed composition
The composition of several bacterial groups of the gut microbiome also changed.
The lysozyme question
Interesting – but not answered by Study 23.
Study 23 examined the entire reconstituted donkey milk powder matrix. It is therefore not possible to determine which single milk component caused the observed changes.
Lysozyme is nevertheless interesting for further research. The assumption that enzymatically active lysozyme could contribute to part of the effects, directly or indirectly via the microbiome, remains a research hypothesis.
The study does not prove that lysozyme was the cause of the observed changes.
What would be relevant is not only the amount of lysozyme but in particular the enzymatic activity preserved after processing.
Scientific context
What Study 23 shows – and what it does not
Observed
Not proven
Derived research plan
Compare fresh milk and powder directly
According to the research dossier, the next reliable step for DON DONKEY’S® would be to determine lysozyme content and in particular enzymatic lysozyme activity in fresh milk and in the freeze-dried powder. Fresh milk and reconstituted powder could then be compared under comparable conditions. An additional lysozyme fraction could help to separate effects of the enzyme from those of the entire milk matrix.
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Discover our donkey milk as a food. Our research pages deliberately separate published findings from open research questions and hypotheses.
Original publication
Donkey Milk Improves Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Protecting Gut Barrier Function, Inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway, and Modulating Gut Microbiota
Yang et al.
Food Science & Nutrition · 2025
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70989
The study is an animal study in the DSS colitis model. The results do not constitute evidence of a therapeutic or preventive effect of donkey milk in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or other intestinal diseases in humans.