Preliminary Assessment of Cow-Derived Fermented Product (CDFP) Effects on the Human Gut Microbiome: A Single-Subject Case Study

Abstract

Cow’s milk, urine, dung, ghee, and curd possess significant medicinal value in Ayurveda and have been integral to traditional Indian clinical practices for centuries. The cow-derived fermented product (CDFP), a formulation rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, combines these five components as a panchgavya and is believed to offer multifaceted health benefits. In this preliminary single-subject case study, we evaluated the microbial composition of CDFP itself and assessed its effects on the human gut microbiome before and after 7 and 15 days of administration. A single healthy male subject consumed CDFP daily for seven consecutive days. Using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, we observed a prominent increase in gut microbial diversity and a rise in beneficial bacterial genera such as Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Akkermansia during and after treatment. Functional profiling revealed significant enhancements in pathways associated with amino acid metabolism, vitamin biosynthesis (e.g., folate, riboflavin), and energy metabolism, along with transient boosts in secondary metabolite synthesis. Metabolomic analysis identified 171 bioactive compounds within CDFP, with 33 exhibiting interactions with human proteins involved in immune modulation, oxidative stress response, and gut barrier integrity. Although conducted on a single participant, this study is the first to elucidate the distinct changes observed in gut microbial composition and function following the seven-day CDFP regimen and provides initial insights that warrant further investigation in larger, controlled studies. These findings highlight the potential of CDFP as a microbiota-targeted intervention with health-supportive properties.