Animal extracts, due to their wide-ranging sources—including animal tissues, body fluids, secretions, and more—have complex compositions and exhibit unique biological activities. They offer numerous specific benefits and effects on human health in fields such as medicine and nutritional healthcare. The following sections will elaborate on these aspects from the perspectives of different application scenarios and ingredient types:

I. Medical Field: Disease Treatment and Physiological Regulation

1. Hormonal extracts: Precisely regulate physiological functions

Insulin (pancreatic extract): Directly supplements the insulin lacking in diabetic patients, promoting glucose uptake and utilization by tissue cells, thereby lowering blood glucose levels and maintaining glycemic balance. It is a core therapeutic agent for type 1 diabetes and certain cases of type 2 diabetes.

Thyroxine (thyroid extract): Used to treat hypothyroidism, supplementing insufficient thyroid hormones in the body and alleviating symptoms such as metabolic slowdown, fatigue, and cold intolerance, while maintaining normal functions of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Sex hormone-based products (such as estrogen and androgen extracts): Used to regulate endocrine disorders (e.g., menopausal syndrome), promote the development of sexual organs, or treat certain gynecological conditions. However, they must be used strictly under the guidance of a physician to avoid hormonal imbalances.

2. Enzyme extracts: Catalysis and metabolic regulation

Pancreatic enzymes (pancreatic extract): Containing trypsin, amylase, lipase, and other enzymes, they are used to treat digestive disorders and pancreatic insufficiency, helping to break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and improving nutrient absorption.

Urokinase (extracted from urine): As a thrombolytic agent, it activates plasminogen to dissolve blood clots and is used in the treatment of thrombotic diseases such as acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism.

Hyaluronidase (extracted from animal testes or microbial fermentation): promotes the diffusion of subcutaneously injected drugs, alleviates local swelling, or is used in ophthalmic surgery to release tissue adhesions.

3. Immunomodulatory and Anti-inflammatory Extracts

Thymosin (thymus extract): Promotes the differentiation and maturation of T lymphocytes and enhances cellular immune function. It is used in the treatment of immunodeficiency disorders (such as adjunctive therapy for AIDS), chronic hepatitis, and impaired immune function following radiotherapy and chemotherapy for tumors.

Transfer factor (lymphocyte extract): Transmits cellular immune information, activates immune cells, and aids in the treatment of viral infections (such as herpes zoster) and malignant tumors.

Shark cartilage extract: Contains angiogenesis inhibitors that can suppress the formation of new blood vessels in tumors. In adjuvant cancer therapy, it is used to slow down the growth and metastasis of cancer cells.

4. Antithrombotic and Hemostatic Extracts

Hirudin (leech saliva extract): Potently inhibits thrombin, preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, and exhibits antithrombotic effects. It is used for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and other conditions.

Thrombin (extracted from animal blood): When applied topically, it rapidly promotes blood coagulation and is used for hemostasis in surgical wounds or to control bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

II. Nutrition and Health Care Field: Supplementing Special Nutrients

1. Amino Acids and Peptides: Basic Nutritional Support

Hydrolyzed collagen (extracted from animal skin and bones): Provides the raw materials—such as glycine and proline—that the body uses to synthesize collagen, improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. It also helps maintain healthy joint cartilage and alleviates symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Taurine (derived from animal heart and brain extracts or synthesized): plays a role in neural development and helps regulate myocardial contractility. It is commonly found in infant formula and sports drinks, where it can boost immunity and improve vision.

Glutamine (animal muscle extract): As the primary energy source for intestinal mucosal cells, it helps maintain intestinal barrier function, alleviates intestinal damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and is also used for muscle recovery in athletes.

2. Lipid Extracts: Special Physiological Functions

Fish oil (extracted from deep-sea fish fat): Rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA), it helps regulate blood lipids (lowering triglycerides and raising HDL-C), has anti-inflammatory effects, improves cognitive function, and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.

Phospholipids (extracted from animal brains and egg yolks): an essential component of cell membranes, they promote fat metabolism, help prevent fatty liver, and also play a role in nerve signal transmission, thereby improving memory.

Squalene (extracted from shark liver): Enhances the body's tolerance to hypoxia and promotes cellular metabolism. In dietary supplements, it is used to boost immunity and combat fatigue.

3. Other functional ingredients

Coenzyme Q10 (derived from animal heart extract or microbial fermentation): It plays a role in mitochondrial energy metabolism, provides antioxidant effects, and protects myocardial tissue. It is used for the prevention and treatment of heart failure and myocarditis, and can also help slow down skin aging.

Chitosan (extracted from the shells of crustaceans): Adsorbs intestinal fats and cholesterol, helps lower blood lipids and regulate blood glucose, and also exhibits immunomodulatory effects.

III. Potential Risks and Precautions

Allergy Risk: Some animal-derived extracts (such as fish, shellfish, and insects) may trigger allergic reactions, including skin rashes and difficulty breathing. Individuals with a history of allergies should use these products with caution.

Ethical and Safety Concerns: Certain animal-derived extracts (such as placenta and bear bile) raise animal welfare or ethical issues, and the efficacy and safety of some ingredients lack sufficient clinical validation. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to scientific evidence and regulatory guidelines.

Quality Control Issues: Animal extracts from different sources may vary in their ingredient composition (e.g., heavy metal residues, microbial contamination). Therefore, it is essential to choose products from reputable channels to ensure quality and safety.

Drug interactions: Hormone- and enzyme-based extracts may interact with other medications (for example, the combined use of anticoagulants with hirudin may increase the risk of bleeding). Use under the guidance of a physician is required.

IV. Future Trends: Precision and Sustainability

With the advancement of biotechnology, animal-derived extracts are evolving toward precise extraction methods—such as monoclonal antibodies and genetically engineered recombinant proteins—and sustainable production approaches—such as microbial fermentation as an alternative to animal-derived extraction. For example, human insulin can be produced in yeast or Escherichia coli using genetic engineering techniques, thereby avoiding the immunogenicity issues associated with animal-derived insulin and reducing reliance on animal resources.

In short, animal extracts, with their unique biological activities, hold significant value in maintaining human health. However, they must be used scientifically and rationally, striking a balance between efficacy and risk, and driving the industry toward safer, more efficient, and sustainable development.