Article: Emu Oil: a few potential uses in cancer therapy

[Guest guest]

Passing this along for the folks here who might be interested. I

personally don't have any experience using Emu oil, but I know several

folks here swear by it ...

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html>

http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html

 

Emu Oil: a few potential uses in cancer therapy

 

Emu Oil may be useful in treating radiation burns from

chemotherapy and may provide relief for joint pain caused by aromatase

inhibitors

 

 

 

I suppose it's a matter of where you are from. If you grew up with a

Jewish grandmother you learned early on that schmaltz (rendered chicken

fat) was good for almost anything. If your grandmother was an Australian

Aborigine you learned to use Emu oil. Chickens and Emus are both birds,

neither can fly. That's probably all they have in common.

 

The Emu is a huge, flightless bird that wanders around wild in Australia

.. Emus are now farmed in Australia , Canada , Europe and the USA . The

native Aboriginal and early white settlers in Australia rubbed on the

liquid fat to facilitate wound healing and to alleviate pain and

disability from musculoskeletal disorders.

 

An adult bird (15 months old) weighing 90 pounds carries up to 20 pounds

of body fat,

 

which when rendered, yields about two gallons of oil. Emu meat compares

favorably to other meat sources, having higher protein, vitamin and

mineral levels but lower fat content than beef, buffalo and caribou. I

don't know whether it tastes like chicken.

http://www.dinomeat.com/About%20Emu%20Meat.html

<http://www.dinomeat.com/About%20Emu%20Meat.html>

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewing the research and also the advertising claims suggest that Emu

oil can be counted on to have several specific effects. First, it

promotes skin healing after injury.

 

 

 

The research studies focus on rather traumatic skin injuries, especially

burns. Several studies look at scalded rats. Apparently they dip the rat

into boiling water and then into Emu oil regularly. The Emu treatments

sped the rats' recovery.

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn1> [ii]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn2> If you think

scalding rats is nasty, there are worse ways to test wound healing. Emu

oil also speeds healing of chemical burns caused by croton oil applied

to the ears of mice. [iii]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn3> [iv]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn4>

A topical salve made from Emu oil and vitamin E improves the healing of

skin grafts. [v]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn5> It seemed

very useful if applied starting two days after the surgery but slowed

healing if application was begun immediately after surgery probably

because early use has an anti-inflammatory effect that slows healing.

Most website testimonials promote Emu oil as beneficial for arthritic

conditions. The published research is a little scanty in this area but

there is enough to consider clinical trials in individuals. Data from

rats who suffered from a chemically induced arthritis-like condition

supports this. [vi]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn6> Effectiveness

varied considerably by manufacturer, how the bird was raised, and,

interestingly, also by location on the bird from where the fat was

obtained. Some wild birds had almost three times the effect of some farm

raised birds, gut fat produced almost 50% more anti-inflammatory effect

than oil from back fat.

Emu oil penetrates the skin easily and can be used as a carrier agent

for other chemicals.

There are two applications where Emu oil may be especially useful in

cancer treatment.

The first is in healing radiation burns. Radiation treatment frequently

causes burns which can be very uncomfortable and which sometimes limit

treatment. Reports from colleagues suggest topical Emu oil may speed the

healing of these burns and the animal studies certainly support this

idea. The skin graft research would suggest that adding vitamin E to the

Emu oil may increase its benefit.

The second use is in treating joint pain. Women with hormone sensitive

breast cancer are frequently treated with oral medications to lower

their estrogen effect or to stop estrogen production altogether.

Estrogen has a moisturizing effect on body tissues, and the lack of

hormone effect caused by these treatments often is experienced as dry,

irritated joints. Kind of a drug induced arthritis. Topical Emu oil

applied over areas of inflammation may help reduce these symptoms. I

have yet to find published research supporting this use. Keep this in

perspective, at this point in time, the manufacturers and doctors who

prescribe these drugs hardly admit these symptoms even occur.

I don't know whether Emu oil will work for this pain. As nothing else

appears to be effective, we now suggest it. I should clarify that. We

have seen oral hyaluronic acid reduce this joint pain triggered by these

drugs. Unfortunately hyaluronic acid should not be taken by anyone with

a history of cancer, especially breast or prostate. The research

suggests that this substance may encourage tumor spread. [vii]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_edn7>

When purchasing Emu oil, at this point, the research suggests that feral

Australian birds produce the most beneficial oil. Oils classified as

cosmetic grade have been clarified. It is unclear that this produces a

therapeutic advantage.

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref1> Di Yi

Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2004 Nov;24(11):1255-6.

[Effects of topical emu oil on wound healing in scalded rats.]

[Article in Chinese]

Li ZQ, Wang JH, Ren JL, Yi ZH.

Department of Burns, Nanfang Hospital , Southern Medical University ,

Guangzhou 510515, China . lizq1112

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of topical emu oil on wound healing in

scalded rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats with second degree scald were

randomized into emu oil group, povidone iodine group and liquid paraffin

group. The times of twisting of the rat body, water content and effusion

of the scald wound and the percentage of wound healing were observed.

RESULTS: Compared with povidone iodine and liquid paraffin, emu oil

reduced the times of body twisting of the scalded rats, the water

content and effusion of the scald wound, and increased the percentage of

wound healing. CONCLUSION: Emu oil can alleviate inflammation in the

scald wound and promote wound healing in rats.

PMID: 15567771 [PubMed - in process]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref2> [ii] Di

Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2005 Apr;25(4):407-10.

[Anti-inflammatory activity and healing-promoting effects of topical

application of emu oil on wound in scalded rats]

[Article in Chinese]

Qiu XW, Wang JH, Fang XW, Gong ZY, Li ZQ, Yi ZH.

Department of Burns, Nangfang Hospital , Southern Medical University ,

Guangzhou 510515, China .

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of topical application of emu oil

on wound healing in scalded rats. METHODS: In 144 male Wistar rats with

10%; total body surface superficial II degree scald treated on a random

basis with physiological saline, povidone iodine and emu oil,

respectively, the changes of the wound were observed and the wound

tissue and blood samples harvested at different times after injury for

evaluation of histopathological changes, total tissue water content

(measured by wet:dry weight ratios), and tumor necrosis factor

(TNF)-alpha levels in the wound tissue and plasma by enzyme-linked

immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The general condition of the wound healing

was also observed. RESULTS: After application of emu oil, the swelling

and effusion of the burn wound were alleviated and evidences of wound

infection or adverse effects were not observed. Pathological examination

showed that emu oil could alleviate topical inflammation, which was

particularly obvious on days 1 and 3 after injury as compared with the

other two groups. On day 3 after injury, water content and TNF-alpha

level in the tissues was markedly decreased with the application of emu

oil (P<0.05), with a significant correlation between their changes

(P<0.001) and shortened wound healing time (P<0.05). Pathological

examination showed that emu oil could promote epithelialization and

differentiation of various epidermal layers. CONCLUSION: Emu oil has

topical anti-inflammatory activity in rats with superficial II degree

scald, possibly in association with decreased levels of the

proinflammatory cytokines in the tissues and can promote wound healing

by inhibiting local secondary inflammation.

PMID: 15837639 [PubMed - in process]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref3> [iii] Am

J Vet Res. 1999 Dec;60(12):1558-61

Effect of emu oil on auricular inflammation induced with croton oil in

mice.

Lopez A, Sims DE, Ablett RF, Skinner RE, Leger LW, Lariviere CM,

Jamieson LA, Martinez-Burnes J, Zawadzka GG.

Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College ,

University of Prince Edward Island , Charlottetown , Canada .

OBJECTIVE: To determine the acute anti-inflammatory effects of topically

applied emu oil. ANIMALS: 96 male CD-1 mice assigned randomly to 4

groups, each comprising 24 mice. PROCEDURE: To induce auricular

inflammation, 50 microl of a solution comprising 10 microl of croton oil

dissolved in 1 ml of acetone was applied to the inner surface of the

left auricle (pinna). One hour later, 3 or 5 microl of emu oil (low- and

high-dose groups, respectively) or 5 microl of porcine oil (oil-control)

was applied to the left pinna. Control mice remained untreated. Six mice

per group were euthanatized 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after induction of

inflammation. Specimens of auricular tissue (ear plugs) were obtained,

using a 6-mm biopsy punch. Magnitude of swelling was calculated as the

weight difference between left (inflamed) and right (noninflamed) ear

plugs; degree of edema was determined as the difference between wet and

dry weights of the left ear plug. RESULTS: Magnitude of swelling was

significantly reduced at 6 and 12 hours in mice treated with emu or

porcine oil, compared with controls. The greatest reduction in swelling

was detected in the high-dose emu group at 6 hours. Compared with

controls, degree of edema was significantly reduced at 6 hours only in

the high-dose group, whereas by 12 hours, all groups treated with oils

had significantly less edema than controls. At 24 hours, magnitude of

swelling and degree of edema did not differ among groups. CONCLUSION:

Topically applied emu oil significantly reduced severity of acute

auricular inflammation induced by croton oil in mice.

PMID: 10622168 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[iv] <http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref4>

Lipids. 2003 Jun;38(6):603-7.

Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical emu oil in CD-1 mice.

Yoganathan S, Nicolosi R, Wilson T, Handelman G, Scollin P, Tao R,

Binford P, Orthoefer F.

Forsyth Institute, Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , USA .

Emu oil is derived from the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), which

originated in Australia , and has been reported to have

anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation was induced in anesthetized

CD-1 mice by applying 50 microL of 2% croton oil to the inner surface of

the left ear. After 2 h, the area was treated with 5 microL of emu,

fish, flaxseed, olive, or liquified chicken fat, or left untreated.

Animals were euthanized at 6 h postapplication of different oils, and

earplugs (EP) and plasma samples were collected. Inflammation was

evaluated by change in earlobe thickness, increase in weight of EP

tissue (compared to the untreated ear), and induction in cytokines

interleukin (IL)-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in

EP homogenates. Although reductions relative to control (croton oil)

were noted for all treatments, auricular thickness and EP weights were

significantly reduced (-72 and -71%, respectively) only in the emu

oil-treated group. IL-1alpha levels in homogenates of auricular tissue

were significantly reduced in the fish oil (-57%) and emu oil (-70%)

groups relative to the control group. The cytokine TNF-alpha from

auricular homogenates was significantly reduced in the olive oil (-52%)

and emu oil (-60%) treatment groups relative to the control group.

Plasma cytokine levels were not changed by croton oil treatment.

Although auricular thickness and weight were significantly correlated

with each other (r = 0.780, P < 0.003), auricular thickness but not

weight was significantly correlated with cytokine IL-alpha (r = 0.750, P

< 0.006) and TNF-alpha (r = 0.690, P < 0.02). These studies indicate

that topical emu oil has anti-inflammatory properties in the CD-1 mouse

that are associated with decreased auricular thickness and weight, and

with the cytokines IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha.

PMID: 12934669 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

<http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref5> [v] Plast

Reconstr Surg. 1998 Dec;102(7):2404-7.

Promotion of second intention wound healing by emu oil lotion:

comparative results with furasin, polysporin, and cortisone.

Politis MJ, Dmytrowich A.

Department of Medical Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan ,

Saskatoon , Canada .

Previous studies showed that twice-daily application of emu oil lotion

(mixture of emu oil/fat, vitamin E, and botanical oil) immediately after

creation of full-thickness skin defects delayed wound healing 6 days

later, perhaps owing to its antiinflammatory actions. If administration

was delayed for 48 hours, a two-fold promotion of wound contraction,

epithelialization, and infiltration of organized granulation tissue was

observed. In the present study, emu oil lotion was applied to

full-thickness skin defects in rodents 24 hours after surgery. Six days

postoperatively, wound contraction and infiltration of fronts of

epithelialized and granulation tissue were assessed. Results indicated a

two-fold promotion of all of the above parameters with emu oil lotion.

No such effects were exerted by pure emu oil, furasin, cortaid, or

polysporin. Data obtained indicate promise for emu oil lotion as an aid

in treating full-thickness skin defects if applied after the major

postinflammatory stages of wound healing have transpired.

PMID: 9858176 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[vi] <http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref6>

Research Data Published in

INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY 1998

Emu Oil(s): A source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents

in

aboriginal medicine.

M.W. Whitehouse1, A.G. Turner2, C.K.C. Davis and M.S.Roberts3

ABSTRACT

Whitehouse M.W, Turner A.G., Davis C.K.C, Roberts M.S. Emu Oil(s): a

source non-toxic

transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine,

Inflammopharmacolgy.

1998;6:1-7

The 'oil' abstained from Emu fat can be very effective inhibitor of

chronic inflammation

in rats when applied dermally (which 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 heal, aging at room

temperature);

iv. The bulk of the anti-inflammatory activity was present in a low

triglyceride fraction;

and

v. Potential arthritis-suppressant/immmunoregulant 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 selections 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

[vii] <http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/emuoil.html#_ednref7> Int

J Exp Pathol. 2001 Jun;82(3):193-200.

Effects of hyaluronan on the invasive properties of human breast cancer

cells in vitro.

Herrera-Gayol A, Jothy S.

Department of Pathology, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada

..

Hyaluronan (HA) is a high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan present

mostly in the extracellular matrix (ECM). HA binds to specific receptors

such as CD44. Its production is increased at the tumour-stroma

interface, including those in breast cancer tumours. It has been

suggested that it facilitates invasion of tumour cells into the ECM by a

hydrodynamic effect, or by altering tumour cell behaviour. Using in

vitro tests we studied the effect of immobilized (iHA) and soluble (sHA)

HA on the invasive properties of four human breast cancer cell lines

with different levels of CD44 expression. Our results show that iHA acts

as an adhesive, haptotactic, and motility stimulating factor for the

CD44 positive Hs578T cells and induces the expression of membrane CD44.

sHA also changes the motility properties of the Hs578T and MDA-231 cells

and increases their CD44 expression. sHA or iHA have no measurable

effect on the adhesion, motility or CD44 expression of the ZR-75-1 and

MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Our results establish that in high CD44

expressing breast cancer cells HA modulates tumour cell adhesion and

motility and also increases the expression of its own receptor, CD44.