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Original Article

Emu Oil reduces disease severity in a mouse model of chronic ulcerative colitis

, , , &
Pages 273-280 | Received 08 Aug 2018, Accepted 06 Feb 2019, Published online: 23 Mar 2019
 

Abstract

Objective: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by mucosal inflammation and ulceration of the large intestine. Emu Oil (EO) has been reported to protect the intestine against mucositis, NSAID-enteropathy, UC-associated colorectal cancer and acute UC. We aimed to determine whether EO could reduce the severity chronic UC in mice.

Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice (n = 10/group) were orally administered (gavage) water (Groups 1–2) or EO (Groups 3: low dose-80 µl and 4: high dose-160 µl), thrice weekly. Group 1 mice consumed plain drinking water throughout the trial. Groups 2–4 mice underwent two cycles [each consisting of seven days dextran sulfate sodium (DSS; 2% w/v) and 14 days water], followed by a third DSS week. All mice were euthanized two days later (day 51). Bodyweight, disease activity index (DAI), burrowing activity, myeloperoxidase activity, crypt depth and histologically assessed damage severity were assessed. p < .05 was considered significant.

Results: DSS decreased bodyweight and increased DAI compared to normal controls (p < .05), which was partially attenuated by both EO doses (p < .05). Burrowing activity was impaired in DSS-controls compared to normal controls (days 27 and 40); an effect prevented by both EO doses (p < .05). DSS increased colonic myeloperoxidase activity and crypt depth compared to controls (p < .05), with no significant EO effect. Moreover, DSS increased colonic damage severity compared to normal controls (p < .001). Importantly, both EO doses decreased distal colonic damage severity compared to DSS-controls (p < .001).

Conclusions: Emu Oil attenuated clinically- and histologically-assessed disease severity in a mouse model of chronic UC. Emu Oil demonstrates promise as an adjunct to conventional treatment options for UC management.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

S. M. is the recipient of a National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career (Peter Doherty) Australian Biomedical Fellowship. D. T. is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship (1020437).

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