Biological Activity of Emu Oil
Robert
Nicolosi, Subbiah Yoganathan, Thomas Wilson, Jajime Sasaki
University
of Massachusetts
Lowell
and the Forsyth Institute
Presented at
AOCS, May 2001
Emu Oil is derived
from the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), which originated in Australia.
While many therapeutic benefits have been attributed to emu oil ranging
from wound healing, anti-inflammation as well as anti-bacterial and
anti-viral activity, there have been no published reports of these
benefits. This presentation will report of the cholesterol lowering,
anti-inflammatory and transdermal delivery properties of emu oil.
For the
cholesterol-lowering studies, hamsters were fed chow-based diets containing
either 10% coconut oil or emu oil with 0.05% cholesterol for 4 weeks.
Compared to coconut oil, hamsters fed emu oil had 25% lower levels of
plasma non-HDL-C and a 27% increase in HDL-C (p<0.05).
For the
anti-inflammation studies, the auricular areas of mice were treated with
either 2% croton oil (pro-inflammatory oil) or emu oil. Auricular thickness
and ear plug weights were significantly reduced 42% and 71%, respectively,
in the emu oil treated mice. The cytokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha from
homogenates of ear tissue were also significantly reduced 83% and 66%,
respectively relative to the croton oil.
For the
trans-dermal delivery system studies, five topical applications of emu oil
containing delta tocopherol at ratios of 1:1, 5:1, and 10:1 were applied to
the shaved dorsal surface of hamsters. The 1:1 ratio of delta tocopherol to
emu oil was also compared to stripped corn oil. At one hour, 1,2,3, and 7
days post-application, blood samples were taken for plasma analyses of
delta tocopherol by HPLC. The different dilutions of delta tocopherol with
emu oil applied topically showed a dose response reduction in plasma delta
tocopherol. Compared to stripped corn oil, plasma from hamsters topically
treated with emu oil had 2-4 times greater plasma levels of delta tocopherol
suggesting more efficient trans-dermal delivery with emu oil. The active
components of emu oil responsible for these biological activities remain to
be determined.
Should
Antioxidants Be used in Emu Oil? (study may be purchased via the AEA
website)
Why use
antioxidants:
The oxidation
of fats and oils contained in products result in undesirable chemical
changes affecting product color, taste, odor and/or texture. This
autoxidative process is complex, but can be explained by a simple series of
reactions.
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