Investigation of Fixed Oil of Gallus gallus domesticus for Various Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Medicinal oils, including fixed and essential oils, are one of the most ancient forms of medicines. Animals and plants are the major source of fixed oils which have been reported to treat various ailments, such as urinary, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal disorders, bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections etc. Medicinal oils, especially of animal origin are; however, ignored and rarely investigated in contemporary modern medical research. This study was aimed to investigate the various pharmacological activities of fixed oil of Gallus gallus domesticus (Egg oil, Fo.Gg). Fo.Gg was investigated for its wound healing potential by using excisional wound model, anti-arthritic activity by following turpentine oil-induced acute arthritis model, antipyretic activity by yeast-induced pyrexia, anxiolytic activity by adopting hole board, light/dark exploration and elevated plus maze models, antidepressant activity by forced swim test and tail suspension model and antiamnesic activity by Y-maze model. Fo.Gg showed significant healing potential as evident from increase in percent wound contraction and decrease in period of epithelialization and also the significant decrease in paw and ankle joint diameter in anti-arthritic activity. It showed dose-dependent (i.e. 10, 30 and 50%) decrease in rectal temperature when compared to the control group, also showed significant anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic activities. These pharmacological activities may be attributed to the antioxidant as well as radical scavenging potential of oil components especially polyphenols, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Thus, the results of the study conclude that egg oil possesses wound healing, anti-arthritic, antipyretic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic potential. The study provides scientific ground for the folkloric use of the oil in traditional system of medicine; however, further studies are required to explore the possible mechanism(s) of action.