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Research on donkey milk · Study 30
Donkey milk, skin and UV light
In 2023, Li et al. examined how donkey milk acts on skin and pigment cells irradiated with UVB light – in a computer model, in the laboratory and on the skin of mice.
What it's about
What does UV light do to the skin?
UVB rays can weaken the skin's outer protective layer and stimulate the formation of the skin pigment melanin. Researchers at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University wanted to know whether donkey milk influences these processes in the laboratory.
First, they used a computer-based network analysis to look for links between the components of the milk and known skin target molecules. They then tested the predictions on pigment cells, on skin cells and on the skin of mice.
The donkey milk powder used came from a Chinese manufacturer.
What exactly was studied?
Briefly explained
The terms used in this study
The short-wave part of sunlight, which mainly reaches the upper layers of the skin and can cause sunburn.
The pigment that colours skin and hair. Under UV light the skin produces more of it – it tans.
The key enzyme in melanin formation. Its activity is a common measurement in pigment research.
A structural protein of the outermost skin layer that is important for an intact skin barrier.
Network analysis: which target molecules could milk components influence?
B16 cells were stimulated to form melanin and treated with donkey milk.
HaCaT cells were irradiated with UVB and then treated with donkey milk.
After UVB irradiation, donkey milk was applied to the skin daily for 7 days.
Interactive · The data at a glance
Three models, five views
Which models were used, how did melanin, tyrosinase and cell survival change – and what did the computer model predict? Switch between the views.
Values from the original publication, given relative to the respective comparison group. The network graphic is schematic.
Key findings
What the researchers report
Less melanin, the more milk
Compared with stimulated, untreated cells, melanin content and tyrosinase activity fell with increasing concentration. Vitamin C as a comparison reached 71.02 % tyrosinase activity.
More cells survived UVB
After UVB irradiation, more skin cells survived with donkey milk. The content of the barrier protein filaggrin rose again at 0.5 and 1 mg/ml.
Less irritation than with cortisone cream
In the tissue sections, the authors describe less irritation in the donkey milk groups than in the group with hydrocortisone cream. They do not give numerical values for this.
The authors regard donkey milk as a promising ingredient for skincare. Two of the authors were employed by the manufacturer of the donkey milk powder used. The study contains partly contradictory information on concentrations in the animal experiment.
Critical assessment
Of interest for skincare research, not for the plate
What the study shows
What it does not show
Research question for DON DONKEY’S®
Donkey milk in skincare?
Donkey milk has long been used in cosmetics. For us, the study is a prompt to get to know the properties of our milk for external use in more detail.
Original publication
Effects of donkey milk on UVB-induced skin barrier damage and melanin pigmentation: A network pharmacology and experimental validation study
Li A., He H., Chen Y., Liao F., Tang J., Li L., Fan Y., Li L., Xiong L.
Frontiers in Nutrition · 2023 · 10:1121498
West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Chengdu) · Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd. (Shandong), China
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1121498
Full text: PMC10033878
The publication describes laboratory and animal experiments with externally applied donkey milk powder. It does not allow any product-related statement for DON DONKEY’S®.
From our shop
DON DONKEY’S® donkey milk
100 % donkey milk · raw milk, frozen
On this page we report the findings of a published study. Independently of that, you will find our donkey milk here: 100 % donkey milk, frozen as raw milk.
100 ml bottle / 100ml · Unit price: €249,00 / 1 l · incl. VAT, plus shipping
Also in our shop
Donkey Milk Powder
Donkey milk in powder form
For anyone who prefers a longer shelf life: our donkey milk in powder form – easy to store and portion.
20g · Unit price: €1.245,00 / 1 kg · incl. VAT, plus shipping