title: Emu oil(s): a source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine.
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: i. Considerable variability in potency of some commercial oil samples; ii. Little or no correlation of activity with colour or linolenic acid (18:3) content of the oil; iii. Relative stability of some active oils (to heat, ageing at room temperature); iv. The bulk of the anti-inflammatory activity was present in a low triglyceride fraction; and 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).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 4102, Brisbane, Queensland.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Roberts