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Emu oil(s): A source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine

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Abstract

The ‘oil’ obtained from emu fat can be a very effective inhibitor of chronic inflammation in rats when applied dermally (with a skin penetration enhancer). Assays for this activity using the adjuvant-induced arthritis model have shown:

  1. i.

    Considerable variability in potency of some commercial oil samples;

  2. ii.

    Little or no correlation of activity with colour or linolenic acid (18:3) content of the oil;

  3. iii.

    Relative stability of some active oils (to heat, ageing at room temperature);

  4. iv.

    The bulk of the anti-inflammatory activity was present in a low triglyceride fraction; and

  5. v.

    Potential arthritis-suppressant/immunoregulant activity of these active fractions.

These studies point to the need for more rigid quality control before considering such a (now proven) traditional medicine as a complementary therapy.

Repeated applications of selected oils did not induce any of the more prominent side-effects associated with NSAIDs (e.g. platelet inhibition, gastrotoxicity) or certain anti-arthritic drugs (proteinuria, leukopenia).

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References

  1. Snowden JM, Whitehouse MW. Anti-inflammatory action of emu oil. Inflammopharmacology. 1997;5(2):127–32.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 4102, Brisbane, Queensland

    M. W. Whitehouse & M. S. Roberts

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Sydney Institute of Technology, 2007, Ultimo, NSW

    A. G. Turner

  3. Department of Primary Industry, Centre for Food Technology, 4007, Hamilton, Queensland, Australia

    C. K. C. Davis

Authors
  1. M. W. Whitehouse
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  2. A. G. Turner
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  3. C. K. C. Davis
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  4. M. S. Roberts
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Whitehouse, M.W., Turner, A.G., Davis, C.K.C. et al. Emu oil(s): A source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine. Inflammopharmacol 6, 1–8 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-998-0001-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-998-0001-9

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