Efficacy and safety in consuming python bile: A literature study

Abstract

In Indonesia, consuming python bile is quite popular to treat various health conditions, such as respiratory disorders, fever, aches, and increase immunity. However, scientific study as a basis for the use in this modern era still limited. This research is a literature study to determine the efficacy and safety of python bile consumption. Literature search was conducted in June 2020. Appropriate keywords were put in Google search engine, Google Scholar and PubMed. The results showed pythons bile have the main content of bile acids and bile salts type Tauropythocholate (TPC), Taurocholate (TC), Taurodeoxycholate (TDC) that could inhibit bacteria growths. Other compounds are protein and antioxidants. Consumption of python’s bile can provide benefits like bile function itself, namely elimination of toxins, increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and cholesterol. Pythons bile can be a source of bacteria and parasites transmission. High doses (>2 biles) and long term use are not recommended since the potential damage of liver and kidneys. Python bile has the potential for efficacy in accordance with its empirical claims. The consumption of healthy snake bile, in accordance with the dosage and not often is quite safe. This finding must still be strengthened with experimental study.