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Elusive
Anti-Inflammatory Component of Emu Oil Isolated
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"...even at full strength, emu
oil generated irritation levels so low, the
results were comparable to that of
water..." | | A newly-issued (1995)
US patent, "Anti-inflammatory Composition
Derived from Emu Oil" has revealed that 4
inventors have isolated a yellow-colored
component from emu oil that appears to be the
active ingredient responsible for the oil's
renowned anti-inflammatory activity.
US Patent # 5,431,924 reveals
that the inventors (all Australian) describe
experiments that they conducted with emu oil and
with this yellow-colored component to
demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of
the yellow component.
Of the 17
claims made In the patent, 3 of them cite
compositions in the form of oral, topical, and
injectable compounds.
The impact
of this documentation on the anti-inflammatory
properties of emu oil has effects that
reach far beyond emu enthusiasts. Kristi Tomlin,
registered pharmacist in Blackwell, Oklahoma,
acknowledges that the main problem with
anti-inflammatories currently on the market is
their side effects.
"The oral
anti-inflammatories eventually cause
stomach discomfort and irritation, which in turn
leads to other problems," she reports. "For
those able to endure this irritation, the next
problem is that it eventually stops working. The
patient builds a tolerance for the medication,
leaving it ineffective."
Topical applications, too, leave much to be
desired. "Most of the topical applications which
require no prescription use an ingredient
derived from a Mexican pepper. Although the
warmth it produces contributes to relief,
the products often irritate and even burn the
skin," Kristi observes.
Another
method of delivery for anti-inflammatories, the
injectable form, is often used for severe cases.
In addition to the irritation caused to the
blood vessels, one of the main deterrents for
using this method is consumer
reaction.
"Most people do not like the
idea of getting shots or giving themselves
shots," revealed Kristi. "Patient compliance
diminishes considerably if there is an aversion
to the method, frequency, or the effects of a
medication," she elaborated.
Summarily, the majority of anti-inflammatories
on the market today produce side effects that
are often so severe, the consumer must weigh
their benefits against their side effects.
However, in the case of emu oil, laboratory
irritation tests conducted by Emu Ranchers
Incorporated in 1991 revealed that even at full
strength, emu oil generated irritation levels
so low, the results were comparable to that
of water In laboratory and clinical tests, as
well as marketing studies for new products, pure
emu oil and compounds formulated with it have
generated surprisingly little irritation. Even
current research on the oral consumption of
bacteria-free emu oil has yet to reveal adverse
side effects from oil use. A pharmaceutical
grade of emu oil possessing anti-inflammatory
properties with minimal side effects could
alleviate the most pressing concerns regarding
the use of anti-inflammatories in the medical
profession today.
The
documentation of the patent notes that the
inventors have found that "emu oil deficient in
linolenic acid is highly active and secondly,
emu oil contains other compound(s) which alone
or when combined with a transport enhancer
provide an effective anti-inflammatory
composition."
Further, this
"biologically active yellow-coloured component
may be included In topical, oral and systemic
compositions for the treatment or prophylaxis of
musculoskeletal and/or dermatological conditions
arising from inflammatory reactions of
environmental or systemic origins."
One of the most interesting
observations noted in the experiments occurred
when emu oil was exposed to sunlight for several
weeks. Upon examination, the oil appeared
inactive when tested for anti-inflammatory
activity. However, this anti-inflammatory
activity was actually restored with the addition
of retinyl acetate.
Other
findings elaborated on within the patent
"clearly identify the yellow components in
emu oil immuno-regulant activity, apart from
their ability to modulate disease once
initiated." The patent displays table after
table of experiments conducted with other oils,
fats, and compounds used and readily available
on the market today.
Allen
Strickland, pharmacist in Ozark, Alabama,
summarized the three aspects of the invention as
(1) a pharmaceutical composition that acts to
provide effective transport across the
dermis or mucous membranes; (2) a method of
treatment; and (3) the process by which
the biologically active yellow-coloured
component is extracted from the emu oil.
According to Strickland, the
published documentation in itself will be a
valuable sales tool.
"It's a lot
easier attract the interest of a pharmaceutical
company when you have this sort of research to
support your product," he reflected.
"Pharmaceutical companies devote persuasive
reason to pursue research on emu oil."
Another notable aspect of the Invention
indicates the ease by which the
compositions may be formulated.
"The compositions of the invention may be
readily formulated by those skilled in the art
using appropriate vehicles to produce a variety
of topical compositions including liniments,
aerosols, creams, ointments, gels, lotions and
the like" reads the patent.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this
documented research from the perspective of the
emu rancher is the unmistakable recognition by
the US government that emu oil really does
contain an active component. Strickland noted
that many drug formulations are based on
an active, natural source.
"Even aspirin, one of the most widely used
compounds, is based on salicylic acid which is
found in the bark of the willow tree," he
explained.
Edna Hennessee of the
Cosmetic Specialty Labs, Inc., notes that
ingredients from natural sources provide an
excellent base for cosmetics. "In my 53 years in
this business, I have found that it is very
difficult to duplicate (synthetically) what
nature has provided. That emu oil is simply good
stuff," she asserts.
A brief
summary of the claims listed in the patent lay
claim to:
. A
biologically active yellow-coloured component of
emu oil
prepared in a prescribed
manner;
. A composition comprising the
aforementioned component and a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
.
The composition noted above in an injectable
form, an oral form,
and a
topical form;
. method of
extraction;
. compositions with named
carriers;
. compositions with emu oil
concentration levels of from 20 to 95%;
. topical compositions with the
yellow-colored component
comprising 1-99% by volume and method of
extracting the
component;
. named chemical treatment
of the component upon extraction;
.
methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of
musculoskeletal or
dermatological conditions arising from
inflammatory reactions of
environmental or a systemic origins.
The compositions named
within the patent call for a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier to transport the oil through
the skin. Despite documented, continuing
investigations being conducted by researchers on
the transdermal qualities of the oil (Auburn
University), the experiments discussed within
the patent indicate that best results were
obtained when the oil was combined with a
separate carrier such as isopropyl alcohol,
eucalyptus oil, etc. When the mixture was
applied to the skin of rats, potent
anti-inflammatory activity was observed,
according to the patent. | |
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