Tokay Gecko (Tuko), Cancer , AIDS and other Health Benefits

The catching and trading in Tokay geckos have become a lucrative side business due to its high market value.

Many people said that Tokek or Tokay Gecko can cure AIDS. There is no cure for AIDS so far according to World health organization (WHO). The rumor about Tokek can cure AIDS is not supported by any medical studies. Most people said that Tokay Gecko tongue been used in medical studies because of the chemical substance that can help to prevent HIV from spreading. That's why the price of this Tokay gecko depend on how heavy this animal because the bigger it is, the bigger it tongue will be.

Another benefits of tokek in Medicine is that it has anti-tumor effects. China experts develop drugs treatment organ tumors from the gecko, because the organ is able to suppress growth and the addition of tumor cells. The team headed by Prof. Wang from Henan University, China, shows that the active substance gecko not only enhance the immune system response of an organism, but also induces apoptosis of tumor cells (which kill himself) and suppress expression of VEGF and bFGF protein, factor endowments of developing cancer. Their findings were published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Gecko effectively utilized to remove malignant tumors, particularly tumors in the digestive system is used as an alternative treatment, namely surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Gecko has anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo; induction of tumor cell apoptosis and the down-regulation of protein expression of VEGF and bFGF may be contributed to anti-tumor effects of Gecko.

Another useful benefits of gecko in medicine that it has a very useful antibodies for humans to neutralize toxins in the body we know as an allergy to some classification of all types of skin allergies or respiratory allergies such as asthma, hives, scabies, eczema and others. The Ha Chieh Ting Chuan Wan (also known as Gecko Asthma Capsule) or Gecko Dingchuan Capsule can be taken daily for relieving asthma and cough. Some people also believe that gecko can cure impotence, enhance male sexual function and increase stamina.

The rumors that Holland buyer come to Malaysia buying tokek for a million ringgit make people looking for this animal. This Tokay gecko are keep as pets in the US for a cheaper price. Other then asthma and anti tumor effects, there is no medical journal that shows studies on Tokek as an AIDS medicine.

In the Philippines, gecko may be priced according to its weight, this may range from the following; 300gms-60,000, 400gms-150.000, 500gms -250,000, 1 klg-1,000,000 or more in Philippine peso. The image above was taken from the place in Bohol, Philippines (1 year ago).

I've heard a story about this Dabawenyo (Native in Davao City, Philippines) who is a bank employee who sold "tuko" to a certain Chinese buyer, true, this person became an instant millionaire! Now, he resigned from his job maybe enjoying the benefits of selling this very timid species. and now, some people (local Dabawnyos) are now on hunting of this tokay, a craze somewhat in the place.
Well, the Tokay gecko is the second largest gecko in the world. Tokay Gecko males can reach 12-14" in total length. Female Tokay geckos are slightly smaller averaging 8-10" long.

An adult tokay gecko averages 5-7 ounces in weight, but particularly large males may achieve weights closer to 11.5 ounces. Hatchling tokay geckos start life at 3.5"-4" and reach breeding age in 9-12 months, but it may take up to 2 years for a tokay gecko to reach is full adult size.

Male tokay geckos are a blue-grey body color with spotting that varies in color from redish-orange to whitish-yellow. Females tokays are a grey body color with the same spotting and generally not as brightly colored as the males. Both sexes have the ability to lighten and darken their skin to some degree to help them blend into their surroundings.