Emu Oil Reduces LPS-Induced Production of Nitric Oxide and TNF-α but not Phagocytosis in RAW 264 Macrophages.

Emu is the second-largest extant bird native to Australia. Emu oil, obtained from the emu's fat deposits, is used as an ingredient in cosmetic skincare products. Emu oil has been reported to improve several inflammatory symptoms; however, the mechanisms of these anti-inflammatory effects are largely unknown. This study investigated the effects of emu oil on the inflammatory macrophage response in vitro. A murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264, was incubated in culture media supplemented with or without emu oil and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We determined phagocytic activity by measuring the number of fluorescent microspheres taken up by the cells. The phagocytic activity of RAW 264 cells in the presence of LPS was unaffected by emu oil. We also determined production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the culture medium using the Griess reaction and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, and the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) using western blotting. The results indicated that emu oil reduced the LPS-induced production of NO, TNF-α, and iNOS expression in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggested that emu oil does not reduce the phagocytic clearance rate of inflammatory matter; however, it does reduce the production of NO and TNF-α in macrophages. These latter products enhance the inflammatory response and emu oil thereby demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties.

[1]  K. Niwa,et al.  Data on melanin production in B16F1 melanoma cells in the presence of emu oil , 2016, Data in brief.

[2]  M. Blumenberg,et al.  Resistin gene polymorphisms are associated with acne and serum lipid levels, providing a potential nexus between lipid metabolism and inflammation , 2016, Archives of Dermatological Research.

[3]  G. Mao,et al.  Salidroside protects against premature senescence induced by ultraviolet B irradiation in human dermal fibroblasts , 2015, International journal of cosmetic science.

[4]  Haw‐Wen Chen,et al.  18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorate palmitate-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in mouse C2C12 myotubes. , 2015, The Journal of nutritional biochemistry.

[5]  Chi-Tang Ho,et al.  Oleic acid ameliorates Aβ-induced inflammation by downregulation of COX-2 and iNOS via NFκB signaling pathway , 2015 .

[6]  Z. Zhong,et al.  The anti‐inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (Prunus yedoensis) used in soothing skincare product , 2014, International journal of cosmetic science.

[7]  C. Tran,et al.  Emu oil expedites small intestinal repair following 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in rats , 2013, Experimental biology and medicine.

[8]  Na Xu,et al.  Activation of RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells in vitro through treatment with recombinant ricin toxin-binding subunit B: involvement of protein tyrosine, NF-κB and JAK-STAT kinase signaling pathways. , 2013, International journal of molecular medicine.

[9]  Rodrigo Neto-Ferreira,et al.  Evaluation of Therapeutic Intervention with a Natural Product in Cutaneous Wound Healing: The Use of Capybara Oil , 2013, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[10]  Seong-ho Lee,et al.  Anti-inflammatory activity of patchouli alcohol in RAW264.7 and HT-29 cells. , 2013, Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association.

[11]  B. Kimura,et al.  Effects of Holdfast of Laminaria japonica on Listeria Invasion on Enterocyte-Like Caco-2 Cells and NO Production of Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells , 2012, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

[12]  K. Al-Malah,et al.  Jojoba Oil/Water Emulsions Stabilized by BSA and Egg Proteins: A Study Using Conductivity Technique , 2012 .

[13]  Y. Chau,et al.  The lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells is attenuated by an unsaturated fatty acid–bovine serum albumin complex and enhanced by a saturated fatty acid–bovine serum albumin complex , 2012, Inflammation Research.

[14]  Yue Zhang,et al.  Lipopolysaccharide inhibits macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by regulating the production of tumour necrosis factor α and growth arrest‐specific gene 6 , 2011, Immunology.

[15]  M. Geier,et al.  Orally administered emu oil decreases acute inflammation and alters selected small intestinal parameters in a rat model of mucositis. , 2010, The British journal of nutrition.

[16]  H. Fuhrmann,et al.  Enrichment of RAW264.7 macrophages with essential 18-carbon fatty acids affects both respiratory burst and production of immune modulating cytokines. , 2010, The Journal of nutritional biochemistry.

[17]  N. Lee,et al.  Artemisia fukudo essential oil attenuates LPS-induced inflammation by suppressing NF-kappaB and MAPK activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. , 2010, Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association.

[18]  A. Sum,et al.  The role of fatty acid unsaturation in minimizing biophysical changes on the structure and local effects of bilayer membranes. , 2009, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[19]  Julie S. Jurenka.  Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. , 2009, Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic.

[20]  D. Bennett,et al.  Comparison of the antioxidant properties of emu oil with other avian oils , 2008 .

[21]  A. Nakao,et al.  Effects of arachidonic acid analogs on FcεRI-mediated activation of mast cells , 2005 .

[22]  C. Oresajo,et al.  Ultraviolet radiation and skin aging: roles of reactive oxygen species, inflammation and protease activation, and strategies for prevention of inflammation‐induced matrix degradation – a review , 2005, International journal of cosmetic science.

[23]  R. Nicolosi,et al.  Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical emu oil in CD-1 mice , 2003, Lipids.

[24]  Y. Yun,et al.  IMMUNOSTIMULATING EFFECTS OF ACIDIC POLYSACCHARIDES EXTRACT OF PANAX GINSENG ON MACROPHAGE FUNCTION , 2002, Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology.

[25]  P. Calder,et al.  Uptake and incorporation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids into macrophage lipids and their effect upon macrophage adhesion and phagocytosis. , 1990, The Biochemical journal.

[26]  Dinesh Thummuri,et al.  Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine. , 2015, Nutrition.

[27]  C. Rice,et al.  Indirubin-3'-(2,3 dihydroxypropyl)-oximether (E804) is a potent modulator of LPS-stimulated macrophage functions. , 2013, Toxicology and applied pharmacology.