-------------- (material omitted for brevity)
Esta Kronberg, a dermatologist specializing in Dermatologic Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology, is just one of a growing number of medical experts that are taking a closer look at emu oil -------------
Well known in the Houston medical field where her practice has been located for the past 13 years, Kronberg's goal is to provide her patients with the best skin care possible. Also on the medical advisory board for the publication Derma, she has been quoted in magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Allure and Glamour. Her treatments embrace acute skin care problems including burns, skin disease, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, as well as anti-aging and general skin improvement treatments.
While some dermatologists may continually treat skin care patients with routine medicine, Kronberg, in an effort to keep pace with advances in both conventional and alternative medicine, utilizes the best of both for the patient's benefit.
"A lot of times an emu oil product is my first choice, even though I can choose any prescription that I wish, and the irony is the emu oil works so well," concedes Kronberg.
Kronberg's husband, Bill Davis, was the first of the pair to be introduced to emu oil. ---------- " I read a small article in a chemical magazine that discussed the benefits of emu oil and mentioned that it was an excellent moisturizer. It caught my attention because we're always looking for pharmaceutical grade, highly purified, high quality products for our (skin care products) program. And our belief is that although there are many products on the market, better can always be located. And so it was we found emu oil."
After Davis obtained several emu oil samples, he began sharing some with acquaintances. One such individual was a woman about to undergo a plastic surgery treatment on her neck. Davis explained that the procedure is painful, irritating to the skin and results in redness as well as blistering and scabbing.
"Familiar with our (skin care) product program, she inquired if we had something that could help," says Davis. "I told her we were experimenting with a wonderful moisturizer, and suggested she give it a try. I sent her a sample, and a request that she let me know how it worked. After using the oil pre-and postsurgery she reported that she experienced minimal pain with no blistering or scabbing whatsoever. On her first checkup with her surgeon, she noted that he was visibly impressed with her wound's rapid progression and questioned her as to what she was using because she had not disclosed that she wasn't using the product he normally recommends. And this was our first real clue that this product indeed has not only anti-inflammatory capabilities, but much more."
A short time after that incident, Davis supplied an acquaintance, who is a nurse, with an oil sample. He explains that this woman was on leave from a dermatology office (located in a psoriasis treatment center) because her own 10 year experience with sever psoriasis was not subsiding.
Recalls Davis, "Her first report a week later was that she was already experiencing relief. Her itching was subsiding, the discoloration was fading and she requested more oil! We ran into her at a drug conference in California just three weeks later, and we didn't recognize her at first. She was wearing short sleeves for the first time in ten years, because it was a large portion of her arms and legs that had been affected."
"I couldn't' believe what I saw and asked her to let me have a closer examination," says Kronberg. "What I found was that her psoriasis was almost completely resolved!"
------------ So the couple stepped up their research into the oil's properties and Kronberg began using it on patients - but not just anyone. She remarks, "I give it to the worst patients with extremely severe problems, such as burns, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and I've been extremely pleased with the results. It brings immediate relief to a lot of individuals, and as a result, I have a lot of happy patients."
She continued, "We have patients that come in that have had laser resurfacing or bad chemical peels somewhere else and are severely burned. We give them the emu oil as an application and it calms things down tremendously and keeps the skin from scarring. We also use the oil on sores that haven't initially healed. And on patients with severe rosacea, emu oil calms down the redness of skin and inflammation of blood vessels, and they don't break out even though it's an oil. This is because the oil is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).
I've observed that the oil has an extreme anti-inflammatory response and is a healing aid. Even when my topically applied steroids and antibiotics don't work well on rosacea patients, once applied, the emu oil will calm things down and the report immediate relief."
Another area in her practice that Kronberg uses emu oil as a treatment is before-and-after application to sites of laser tatoo removal. She relates that the oil stops the initial onset of discomfort from stinging and pain associated with this procedure and that it encourages a superior and faster healing process.
Kronberg also uses the oil on young patients. She relates, "It's great for using on kids getting their shots. If you medicate the area prior to injection with emu oil (emu oil only, no anesthetic), and then directly afterwards, it diminishes discomfort and they don't get achy and irritable later on." Konberg says that she uses the oil for the same objective herself when administering shots before traveling abroad.
She's not the only doctor with an interest in using the oil to block pain before and after an injection procedure. Dr. William Code of Duncan, British Columbia, has researched the advantages of using emu oil with the local anesthetic Lidocaine and has delivered several discourses on his research findings. And there's even been a patent involving this same function for the oil. The patent "Compositions Comprising Lidocaine and Emu Oil and Methods of Use Thereof" was granted to inventor David Rivlin in 1997.
Davis is very excited and optimistic about the utilization of emu oil in medical procedures and relates he thinks that emu oil lives up what it's been reported to do - as a "bioactive transport," in that it has the capability to carry other ingredients into the skin. "It actually takes the ingredients into the skin with it as long as the ingredient molecule is small enough to penetrate the skin. And since it takes it quickly, we tend to see things improve faster."
Adds Davis, "And our feeling is that if at all possible, start the healing process prior to a procedure in order to accelerate the body's ability to heal itself. Emu oil is doing that. We believe that if you can prep the skin with the oil in advance of a procedure, similar to prepping your body prior to a marathon, chances are that the healing process will be dramatically improved, and that's what we've found. We're actually able to see a 50 percent improvement time with patients recovering from laser resurfacing, where they're going back to work in just two weeks, vs. four weeks or more, and with no blisters or scabs!" ------------------------
Reprinted from Emu Today & Tomorrow, October 1998

The skin serves numerous functions but the primary protective or barrier function is the most obvious. All of the cells in our bodies have miniature barriers called cell-walls to separate each cell. The cell wall, in turn, must have many mechanisms that enable the cells to communicate with other cells through pores, channels and receptors. This communication is necessary since all the cells must function in an orchestrated fashion to accomplish everything that we do in our daily lives. The cell wall barriers are simply layers of fats that surround the watery contents. Therefore, the communication mechanisms must operate through these fatty cell walls. In fact, many of the substances that are involved in this communication process are various fats since it is easiest for fats to move within the fatty layers that comprise the cell walls. Our societal attention to fats as only sources of calories and a sign of being overweight does a critical disservice to the major importance that fats play in our bod y’s biochemistry and physiology.
Fatty substances control the majority of our body’s physiology through receptors that activate many important genes. Likewise, our skin barrier is comprised of a supporting structure of collagen, a protein, that contains fats that serve a critical function. These fats prevent the excess loss of water through our skin and prevent the cells of our body from becoming dehydrated and dying. A major sign of a defective skin is the dryness that results from excessive water loss. This water can not be applied topically but must be ingested otherwise we would drown in our shower. To prevent the excessive water loss and the resulting dry skin, we must repair the skin barrier. We find that the skin composition in individuals with dry skin is due to an improper mixture of the skin fats. This is due to a deficiency in our diet of the correct fats. On a nutritional basis, we can provide these necessary fats through the skin. The skin is not a usual means to acquire nutrition but it can absorb enough fatty substances to correct the fat imbalances that are the cause of the defect in the skin’s barrier function and thus correct th e dry, itchy skin problem.
Essentially, all moisturizing lotions on the market do not contain nutrition for the skin but rather serve to provide an artificial barrier through the use of petrolatum. Petrolatum is an inert substance that does not allow water to escape through the dry skin. Petrolatum is not a means to correct the underlying problem but it is a temporary solution. However, if you want to have a normal healthy skin that is as soft as baby’s behind, you must supply the correct composition of fats to the skin.
The fatty acid composition of emu oil is very close to the correct composition of these fats as found in normal skin. Thus, emu oil is an excellent moisturizer that returns the skin to its natural barrier function. Emu oil can make the skin feel soft, more elastic and firm due the restoration of the normal fats in the skin.

Lopez A, Sims DE, et.al.
Am J Vet Res 60[12]:1558-61 1999 Dec
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 euthanized 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.

1. Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Q 4102
2. Department of Surgery, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065.
3. Department of Chemistry, Sydney Institute of Technology, Ultimo, NSW 2007

This report provides some background material and then briefly summarises the evidence that Emu Oil contains active principles that may be valuable for treating chronic inflammation, based on experimental studies in rats with established polyarthritis

Traditional beliefs of geographically widely separated Aboriginal communities agree on the beneficial properties of Emu Oil as a natural remedy to reduce pain and stiffness in sore muscles and joints. Documented records of this practise date back well over 100 years, as cited in the US Patent (1) e.g. Leichardt 1847; Bennett 1860; Old bushman 1891. Apparently the oil must be massaged vigorously on to the sore muscle or joint and the process repeated as often as required: hence pressure, heat and duration of rubbing are all relevant factors (2). For many affected tissues, applying the raw oil in this form must itself be quite a painful process.

Several commentators have asserted that the pharmacological value of the oil is unproven, i.e. lacking scientific investigation, on the ground but such information has not been found in their literature searches. Sceptics might assert that the transdermal (?painful) application of the oil seems to resemble the use of certain well-known counter-irritants such as capsaicin, the pugent principle of red peppers (3), which transiently produce local pain and/or inflammation but subsequently induce a long-lasting state of pain relief (analgesia). Alternatively, applying the oil might be considered merely a means of inducing a 'placebo effect' i.e. a non-specific 'comforting' response, since there is data suggesting that some 40-60% of patients with soft tissue and local joint disorders will respond to a placebo when rubbed into the skin (4).

In recent years, topical formulations of some well-established non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have been developed by the drug industry mainly to treat arthritis, muscle sprains and soft tissue trauma (5,6). The use of this term "Topical" may mean to treat the local inflammation by a simple local applicati0on. It may also imply transdermal delivery of a drug through the skin for it to have a systemic effect on some distant tissues, other than the skin. For emu oil to seriously compete for attention in the market place against these now heavily promoted, transdermally-active NSAIDs, it is essential to establish that there really are constituents in emu oil which can match these NSAIDs in efficacy after dermal application.

These transdermal NSAIDs are now gaining acceptance because they fulfil expectations of being able to 'perform', in as much as the active NSAID is provided (I) in a known amount, (ii) in a form known to fairly rapidly penetrate the skin and (iii) with anticipated efficacy based on prior knowledge that it will control both experimental and clinical inflammation when delivered by other routes.

Emu oil (concentrates) need to match these topical NSAIDs in all these respects if they are to gain maximum credibility and (a) reclaim ground already lost to the new topical NSAID formulations or (b) successfully capitalise on the general public's growing acceptance that a transdermal agent may bring genuine relief from systemic inflammatory/pain-generating disorders.

It should be noted that topical NSAIDs are not entirely free from some of those side-effects (regularly seen after their oral use), and in this respect they are not necessarily a great advance on previous formulations of those same NSAIDs (see ref7 for renal toxicity).

The key to certifying the therapeutic value of the emu oil is to have, and use, a well-controlled small animal model of inflammatory disease that responds beneficially to known anti-inflammatory drugs. Since any topically-administered agent may be slow to penetrate through the skin, it is essential either to apply the test medication well in advance of an experimentally induced inflammation that has a rapid onset; or alternatively to use an experimental model of inflammation that is slow-developing.

Extensive work at the Australian National University (8), the University of Adelaide (9) and more recently at the University of Queensland had indicated that the experimentally-induced polyarthritis in rats, obtained by inoculating a mycobaterial adjuvant (10) is well-suited to evaluating the transdermal efficacy of both synthetic drugs and certain natural products as significant anti-inflammatory agents. In essence rats (from a susceptible strain) are given the adjuvant by tail-base injection on day 0 and the disease is allowed to develop until the first signs of arthritic inflammation are clearly expressed, 10 to 12 days later. At this time the size of rear paws and maximum tail thickness are measured with a micrometer, the severity of inflammation in the front paws is given a score on a arbitrary scale (0-4+) and the body weight is measured after shaving an area of skin on the upper back of the rat, approx. 6cm, just below the neck. The test formulations are applied once daily for four days and o n the fifth day the signs of inflammation are re-evaluated. Suppression of both the paw swelling and of the disease-associated weight loss indicates successful treatment. Animals are observed for a further three to four days, after suspending treatment: nearly always there is a rebound in the signs of arthritis in the successfully treated group. This indicates that the drug is truly anti-inflammatory and that these treated animals re not "false-positives" (in the sense of failing to respond to the original arthritigen).

Feeble drugs such as methyl salicylate or aspirin derivates show little activity when applied transdermally in doses < 150 mg/kg/day. Many NSAIDs are active at doses 1-20 mg/kg/day, but may still cause some gastric bleeding even though given non-orally in these experiments. Unpublished studies carried out at the University of Adelaide 1988-1992 established the efficacy of emu oil as an anti-inflammatory agent in delaying/preventing arthritis development without compromising the stomach (in contrast to most NSAIDs). Some of these finding were published in a US patent (1) to justify claims made therein. Further studies, as yet unpublished, identified very potent fractions (active at less than 5 mg/kg). These are now being analysed to identify chemical "markers" of activity that might be used to certify and standardise different batches of oil, for likely anti-inflammatory potency.

While this particular animal model of experimental arthritis has delivered useful date, it certainly needs to be supplemented with other whole animal pharmacological assays to characterise other possible medicinal benefits of the oil. The wound-healing models using rats, currently being studied in Perth and Brisbane, should allow insight into any effect the oil may have on hastening repair of traumatised tissue and healing after bruising.

Earlier studies in Adelaide indicated the oil was not very active in reducing fever or suppressing rapidly-developing, but transient, models of acute inflammation (e.g. oedema induced in rat paws by inoculating irritants such as histamine or carrageenan). These rather negative findings at least indicated that emu oil lacked aspirin-like activity. [This was in fact a helpful finding, since we already have an abundance of aspirin-like drugs in the market place.] Rather, it positioned emu oil as a potential medication with activity 'beyond aspirin' i.e. that might control chronic inflammation (rather than acute transitory oedema etc.) and therefore of possible value for treating sustained inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, as well as post-surgical trauma.

'Activity' refers to anti-inflammatory/arthritis-suppressant action as seen in this rap polyarthritis model after dermal application i.e. by rubbing on and into the skin.

1. The oil is not particularly effective, applied dermally, without an additive to enhance skin permeation. It is this combination of oil and enhancer, which is the essential core technology of these patents. Enhancers include esters of salicylic acids, which are not very efficient in preventing signs of rat arthritis by themselves, but certainly provide analgesic and antipyretic benefit.

2. The normal fatty acid components of the oil (and most other animal fats) are almost certainly not the active principles. Plant oils with a similar content of oleic acid (canola, olive) were not active. These and other observations rule out the 'placebo effect' as an explanation for the observed 'activity' of dermally applied emu oil.

3. The activity in the crude oils may be destroyed by light, due to the presence of a photosensitising yellow pigment.

4. The 'activity' may also be impaired/destroyed by some of the rather harsh processes being used to prepare a highly acceptable cosmetic product.

5. The 'activity' can be concentrated more than 100-fold from certain batches of oil to give a stable fraction with remarkable potency, inasmuch as it can be given along with the arthritigen and effectively switch off disease development; in this respect resembling some of the powerful immunosuppressant drugs that are now being studied as alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, e.g. cyclosporin-A.

6. Activity ahs been ascertained in oils from emus raised Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland but not similar oil fractions prepared from free-range chickens and other domestic animals (pigs, goats).

7. The inactive fraction (>90% volume) of these particular emu oils was a useful vehicle for transdermal delivery of other lipid-soluble drugs e.g. cyclosporin.

8. Further work, beyond that described in the patent (1), has shown the 'activity' can be separated from the yellow (photosensitising) components to provide a more durable, seemingly light-resistant, commodity.

9. No sample of emu oil tested to date has shown any of the gastro-irritant effect associated with conventional NSAIDs (even when these latter drugs are given transdermally).

10. Finally it must be emphasised that not all samples of emu oil tested against this rat arthritis have shown activity: clearly there are oils and oils, i.e. + or 0. Furthermore, even A grade oil may be inactive if given orally i.e. by mouth, instead of transdermally by rubbing on.

The impetus to carry out these studies arose originally in Western Australia, largely due to the enthusiasm and support of P Clark, J Leach, D Williams and their Aboriginal partners in the Emu industry. Unfortunately the early momentum could not be sustained. So we now find ourselves in the position of trying to catch up with some quite high-powered development work being undertaken in Canada, the USA, China and France to further establish the potential medical benefits of emu oils. Fortunately there are concerned scientists in the Department of Agriculture WA (J Snowdon, P Frapple) and Qld Department of Primary Industry (C Davis, P Kent) who are looking for ways to help retrieve this situation.

Concerning the future, it is imperative that we all try and find some answers to at least two difficult questions:

1. How do the conditions of bird husbandry, particularly those relating to feed and environment, affect the yield and stability of effective oil. Present practices for optimising meat yields and leather quality may not necessarily be the most appropriate for enhancing production and storage of the therapeutic factor (s) in emu fat.

2. How seriously is the industry prepared to promote further essential research and development? This is absolutely necessary to establish future certification by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Canberra and related regulatory bodies overseas e.g. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, to allow claims regarding therapeutic benefit (s) of emu oil products when sold openly through pharmacies, supermarkets, etc. It is no use just waiting for a government agency to step in with the requ9isite funding: it will be slow coming and unlikely to be sufficient. The industry needs to take the initiative here to ensure it is not a case of 'too little too late'.

Unless we can wrestle with these problems now, we may as well give away the idea of realising a high financial return on a low volume product - namely stabilised and standardised emu oil concentrates with proven clinical efficacy for treating musculo-skeletal pain and inflammation.

WCH Researchers Unravel The Mysteries Of Emu Oil
As early as 1860, a London academic publication described how the Aboriginal people and early Australian settlers used emu oil to heal wounds, reduce pain and relieve various muscular disorders.

After 140 years, the emu is again displaying its feathers and enticing scientists to discover the secrets of its oil.

Researchers at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide have been working, since February, on a project funded by the Australian Emu Farmers, to identify the active components in emu oil. This will enable standardisation of the product - something demanded of all successful modern industries.

Professor Tony Ferrante, Head of Immunopathology at the hospital said, “There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that emu oil is effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but no scientific evidence of its efficacy.

“Some of the fatty acids in emu oil are found in other oils, for example olive oil, but olive oil is not anti-inflammatory. There must be unique components in emu oil.

“Our task now, is to identify these components. We already have some promising results suggesting the anti-inflammatory activity resides in a particular fraction of the oil. But we need to have biological as well as chemical analyses to complete the picture. This could take a number of years,” he said.

President of the South Australian Emu Farmers Association, Mr Chris Gregory said,” For the emu farmers of Australia, the oil is the most important commodity, followed by the meat.

“This is probably the first research undertaken where the knowledge is for the benefit of the whole industry. We are very confident that this research will help boost emu farming in Australia,” he said.

Emu oils from several different origins will be fractionated and the active components examined for both in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.

Professor Ferrante's research group brings to the task an impressive reputation of some 20 years internationally acclaimed research into the immunology of a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. The group is responsible for the discovery of some unique effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (a class of oils) on inflammation.

Currently there are about 230 licensed emu farms in Australia, of which 45 are in South Australia.

With standardisation, emu oil from diverse sources can be prepared with optimal activity, enabling consumer confidence in the product.

For interviews with Professor Ferrante or Chris Gregory please contact:
Dr Edna Bates
Public Relations Officer
? (618) 8204 7388
email: batese@wch.sa.gov.au


Mrs Chris Ostermann
Director Media and Community Relations
? (618) 8204 7392
? mobile 0417 807 690
email: ostermannc@wch.sa.gov.au
Copyright © Women's and Children's Hospital 2000
Disclaimer
Last revised: Wednesday, 11-Apr-2001 19:29:39 CST
URL:http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/media/051000_media_release.html

Arthritic and pain relieving applications of emu oil is rapidly gaining credibility for its penetrating and healing properties. Testimonials from users, professionals (chiropractors, medical doctors, massage therapist, pharmacists, etc.) have shown emu oil to be anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial. In the following article, Dr. Thom Leahey of the Arthritis Clinic in Ardmore, OK, discusses the pain relieving effects of emu oil and the use of emu oil in his practice.
A preliminary study has already produced some positive indication that the oil may substantially reduce the pain caused by arthritis. "We took a random sampling of 20 volunteers for a double blind, placebo-controlled study using emu oil and mineral oil," said Dr. Leahey. "The only.qualifying parameter was that the volunteer could not have ever used emu oil before the test. Volunteers also remained on the same arthritis medicine they were currently taking," he explained.
"In this two-week study, 7 of the 12 emu oil users reported a significant reduction in pain, morning stiffness and swelling. Only 1 of the 8 mineral oil users (placebo) related the same results," reported Dr. Leahey. Encouraged by these preliminary findings, Dr. Leahey felt the oil merited additional investigation through a comprehensive clinical study that could be documented and published in scientific and trade journals.
The proposed study, which will extend over a three month period, will involve 500 participants. 'The main qualifying factor will be that the participant must have had arthritis diagnosed in their hands," he explained. Although the extensiveness of the arthritis is not a factor that will disqualify a volunteer, Dr. Leahey maintains a personal theory that the oil may have its greatest impact on early stages of arthritis pain. "I don't know if any topical aid would be beneficial for chronic or burnout arthritis, where the cartilage has actually been destroyed. I suspect the oil reduces inflammation around and within joints, and assists in allowing a greater freedom of movement," he reasoned.
"This study will not only provide for a subjective determination of the effect of the oil," said Dr. Leahey, "but it will also include direct measurements. By using a dynamometer, we can confirm changes in the participant's gripping strength. Also, by direct examination of the hands, it is very easy to test the sensitivity and number of tender and swollen joints," he revealed.
Volunteers that are accepted and have been off arthritis medicine for one month will receive an initial examination measuring the gripping strength in the hands. The subject may be asked at the beginning of the study to assign a number corresponding to the pain level being experienced in their joints on a scale of 1 to 5. After the hands are examined, the subject will be instructed on how to property apply the oil onto the hands, tentatively 3 times a day for 3 months. The subject's hands will be reexamined and evaluated at the end of each 30-day interval.
"When I was initially approached by patients advising me that they were experiencing relief from emu oil, I did a literature search on the topic of emu oil and medical applications. I quickly learned that there is a big void in this area and that there were no published articles in scientific or medical journals," Dr. Leahey revealed.
Personal observation of the effectiveness of the emu oil on his own patients was the motivating factor behind Dr. Leahey's proposal for a clinical study. "The dramatic results I have observed convinced me that this oil can make an impact on those suffering from arthritis," he stated. "The advent of this oil has simply changed my practice," he asserted.
"The research is imperative," stated Dr. Leahey. The initial results and potential are so exciting. In the last few weeks I've begun recommending the use of emu oil as part of a regular treatment program for patients," he revealed. I've observed some very surprising results. The oil is very economical compared to regular arthritis medicines, and appears to have fewer side effects," he continued. "It's very encouraging to find something that may help relieve the suffering associated with arthritis, and it's very exciting to be a part of a project that may impact the quality of life for so many people."
"I believe there's been an oil strike here, and I want to be a part of it," Dr. Leahey declared.
Dr. Leahey attended graduate school at Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor in Science and a Masters in Science. After graduate school he attended the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth where he graduated in June 1983. He did his residency in Michigan at Garder City Hospital and the Internal Medicine portion at Providence Hospital. He finished his residency in June 1988. He then moved to Talihina, Oklahoma where he spent two years doing Indian Health Service at the Choctaw Nations Indian Hospital. Dr. Leahey moved to Ardmore in June 1990 and joined the Arthritis Clinic. He does rheumatology practice with special interest in medical disability evaluations. He is on staff at Memorial hospital. Dr. Leahey is the Medical Director of six nursing homes in southern Oklahoma. He is the President of Southern District of Osteopathic Association in Oklahoma for 1995. He is a member of: American College of Rheumatology, American College of Physicians, Oklahoma Osteopathic Ass ociation and Fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluation Physicians.
Source: A Grip on Pain: Documenting the Facts on Emu Oil and Arthritis. Emu Today & Tomorrow, July 1995

ANA 9: General Analytical II
Chairpersons: J.-L. Sébédio, INRA, Unite de Nutrition Lipidique, 17 Rue Sully-BV 1540, Dijon, 21034, France; and Vijai K.S. Shukla, International Food Science Centre AS, P.O. Box 44, Sonderskovvej 7, Lystrup, DK-8520, Denmark.

Biological Activity of Emu Oil. Robert Nicolosi, Subbiah Yoganathan, Thomas Wilson, and Hajime Sasaki, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 4, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; and The Forsyth Institute, 140 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity, there have been no published reports of these benefits. This presentation will report on 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 wk. Compared to coconut oil, hamsters fed emu oil had 25% lower levels of plasma non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and a 27% increase in HDL-C (P < 0.05). For the anti-inflammation studies, the auricular area of mice was 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 c ytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-* from homogenates of ear tissue were also significantly reduced 83 and 66%, respectively, relative to the croton oil. For the transdermal delivery system studies, five topical applications of emu oil containing *-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 *-tocopherol to emu oil was also compared to stripped corn oil. At 1 h, 1, 2, 3, and 7 d post-application, blood samples were taken for plasma analyses of *-tocopherol by high-performance liquid chromatography. The different dilutions of *-tocopherol with emu oil applied topically showed a dose-response reduction in plasma *-tocopherol. Compared to stripped corn oil, plasma from hamsters topically treated with emu oil had two to four times greater plasma levels of *-tocopherol, suggesting more efficient transdermal delivery with emu oil. The active components of emu oil responsible for these biological activities remain to be de termined.

By: Frank Orthoefer - ACH Food Companies
The theme of the 2001 AEA Symposium was "….Meet a new Frontier….Catch the Spirit." The new frontier was the opportunities identified in recent research on the biological properties of emu oil. This research targeted properties some already use to promote emu oil but evaluated in valid, controlled, quantifiable scientific studies. The report by the principal investigator on cholesterol lowering, anti-inflammatory and transdermal characteristics of emu oil served to validate to the scientific community that a new oil is available having functional and pharmaceutical properties.
Previously producers and marketers have relied principally on anecdotal or testimonial disclosures on the benefits of emu oil. Healing, penetrating, anti-aging descriptions have been used to promote our product. While perhaps actual, none have been based on characteristics proven by scientific studies. Few results until now have been reported in the scientific, peer reviewed literature that lends credibility to these often seen claims. Data has been developed that will pass the test of scientific scrutiny. Future efforts are targeted to reach the scientific community and eventually the users of this oil.
The principle investigator, Dr. Robert Nicolosi, University of Massachusetts, reported on animal trials that showed cholesterol lowering, anti-inflammatory and transdermal properties of emu oil. Dr. Nicolosi was selected to perform the emu oil studies because of his widely recognized publications on vegetable oils, sterols and lecithin. He has published more than 150 peer reviewed papers in many of the noted journals on nutrition.
Dr. Nicolosi holds teaching and research positions at the University of Massachusetts. He has been involved in identifying and quantitating the biological and physiological effects of various oils such as rice, corn fiber, sunflower, soybean and others. Dr. Bob is most noted for his identification of the active ingredients in oils having cholesterol-lowering effects. Illustrating the reluctance to accept claims for this oil, even Dr. Nicolosi (Dr. Bob) expressed doubts about the possible outcome in these trials. After all, isn’t this just another animal fat being "packaged" with other "snake oils."
The standard method to assay for cholesterol lowering activity is to feed animals a high cholesterol diet then to add the test material to the diet and determine serum cholesterol over a defined time (2 weeks, 4 weeks, etc.). Dr. Nicolosi fed hamsters a hypercholesterolemic diet followed by inclusion of emu oil. The emu oil fed was either a crude rendered oil or a fully processed oil. The results were incredible with emu oil reducing total cholesterol over 30%. Most of the reduction occurred in the bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol -25%). Serum cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and the leading cause of death in the U.S. It is essential that people make changes in lifestyle and diets to lower their cholesterol. Cholesterol lowering drugs are the major pharmaceutical products sold. Emu oil may be a very attractive alternative.
Inflammation is easily seen but more difficult to quantify. We’ve all seen how some people react very strongly due to contact with an irritant while others show little effect. In our trials the inflammatory response was quantitated using a standard irritant applied to the ear of mice. Croton oil (2%) is the standard irritant and the degree of inflammation or anti-inflammation was determined by measuring auricular (ear) swelling and the weight of a plug taken from the ear. Swelling of tissue is a primary indication of inflammation. After the croton oil application (3, 6, 9, or 24 hrs.), emu oil was applied to the same area as the irritant. The thickness and earplug weights were then determined. The results were again "incredible." The degree of inflammation was significantly reduced between 42% and 71% in the emu oil treated mice. The cytokines or those circulatory compounds produced as a result of inflammation, were also reduced significantly (-83% interleukin -1 and –66% tumor necrosis factor ? ).
Several human and animal diseases are probably the result of inflammation. These include arthritis and vascular diseases. Treatment is often difficult but topical application has been explored. Substances that pass through the skin are needed. The claimed transdermal characteristics of emu oil were evaluated by topical application on hamsters of emu oil containing delta (? ) tocopherol. Different combinations of emu oil and ? tocopherol were evaluated (1:1, 5:1 and 10:1). These were applied to the shaved, dorsal surface of hamsters. Blood samples were taken at 1 hour, 1 day, 2, 3 and 7 days and submitted for plasma analysis of the ? tocopherol. The different dilutions of the ? tocopherol with emu oil showed a dose/response relation between plasma ? tocopherol and concentration. Emu was found to be transdermal carrying the ? tocopherol through the skin into the blood. When a long chain fatty acid, docosahexenoic acid (C22:6), was incorporated into emu oil, a similar transfer to the blood was seen. To gether, these trials showed statistically that emu oil is transdermal and can be utilized for transdermal delivery. The component of emu oil that brings about the transdermal delivery to the blood is unknown.
One can visualize several possibilities as a result of these studies. Some of these may include: cholesterol control and subsequent reduction of cardiovascular disease through a friendly food ingredient or capsule of emu oil, topical treatment of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or rheumatism, or efficient delivery of topical pharmaceuticals. Enhanced cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations seem likely for both external and internal treatment perhaps even to targeting of specific organs.
What has not been done is the determination of the active ingredient or ingredients in emu oil that is responsible for the observations made in these trials. The future efforts should focus on the identification of active components in the oil. The determination of the effects of gender, feeds, location of oil and processing effects can then be determined and optimized. As Dr. Nicolosi had summarized at the annual meeting, "emu oil is not your normal chicken fat." We can push forward into new opportunities with this beneficial livestock product with "further research that aims at specific new medicinal uses in everyday health-aid situations."