Fatty acids from marine lipids: Biological activity, formulation and stability

Abstract

Cod-liver oil from Atlantic cod (Gadus Morrhua L.) and other fish oils are the main source of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) such as EPA and DHA that are known to possess numerous of health benefits and, thus, fish oils are commonly used as dietary supplements. Free unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) extracted from fish oils do also possess wide variety of biological effects. Free FAs extracted from cod-liver oil have been shown to possess antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effect when formulated as water-free ointments and to possess laxative effect when given rectally in suppositories. The free FAs from cod-liver oil can also be used as enabling pharmaceutical excipients that enhance drug permeation through skin and the oral mucosa. Although in some cases these natural free FAs are less potent than many synthetic drugs they are also less likely to cause toxic side effects and this allows for administration of larger doses. Most often the potency of a given biologically active agent is not important per se but rather the therapeutic index of the agent, that is to say the ratio of the dose that causes toxic side effects and the dose producing the desired therapeutic effect.