The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of a γ-Lactone Isolated from Ostrich Oil of Struthio camelus (Ratite) and Its Formulated Nano-Emulsion in Formalin-Induced Paw Edema.

Salah E M Eltom,Salem A Alrashidi,Atef A Abdel-Hafez,Eiman Me Agabein,Ahmed A H Abdellatif,Hamzah Maswadeh,Mugahid A Mobark,Mohsen S Al-Omar,Ibrahim Alqasoomi,Hamdoon A Mohammed,Mohammed S M Sajid

doi:10.3390/molecules26123701

Salah E M Eltom, Salem A Alrashidi + Show 9 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26123701

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Abstract

The ostrich oil of Struthio camelus (Ratite) found uses in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory in eczema and contact dermatitis. The anti-inflammatory effect of a γ-lactone (5-hexyl-3H-furan-2-one) isolated from ostrich oil and its formulated nano-emulsion in formalin-induced paw edema was investigated in this study. Ostrich oil was saponified using a standard procedure; the aqueous residue was fractionated, purified, and characterized as γ-lactone (5-hexyl-3H-furan-2-one) through the interpretation of IR, NMR, and MS analyses. The γ-lactone was formulated as nano-emulsion using methylcellulose (MC) for oral solubilized form. The γ-lactone methylcellulose nanoparticles (γ-lactone-MC-NPs) were characterized for their size, shape, and encapsulation efficiency with a uniform size of 300 nm and 59.9% drug content. The γ-lactone was applied topically, while the formulated nanoparticles (NPs) were administered orally to rats. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac gel) was used as a reference drug for topical use and ibuprofen suspension for oral administration. Edema was measured using the plethysmograph method. Both γ-lactone and γ-lactone-MC-NPs showed reduction of formalin-induced paw edema in rats and proved to be better than the reference drugs; diclofenac gel and ibuprofen emulsion. Histological examination of the skin tissue revealed increased skin thickness with subepidermal edema and mixed inflammatory cellular infiltration, which were significantly reduced by the γ-lactone compared to the positive control (p-value = 0.00013). Diuretic and toxicity studies of oral γ-lactone-MC-NPs were performed. No diuretic activity was observed. However, lethargy, drowsiness, and refusal to feeding observed may limit its oral administration.

Highlights

Natural products play a prominent role in the treatment of diseases and are of major concern in drug discovery [1,2,3]
This study evaluated the potential anti-inflammatory effect of the γ-lactone isolated from ostrich oil and its nano-emulsion against formalin induced edema using diclofenac gel for topical application and ibuprofen for oral administration as standard drugs
0.05 cu.mm diclofenac gel (p-value 0.01). These results showed a significant inhibition of edema in both and in the percent inhibition of edema: 95.7% for γ-lactone treated andtopical

Summary

Introduction

Natural products play a prominent role in the treatment of diseases and are of major concern in drug discovery [1,2,3]. Struthio camelus is a large flightless bird which belongs to the Ratite family. This family includes three types of birds, ostrich, emu, and rhea, the ostrich lives in African countries, mainly in the areas of rich savanna [6]. Ostrich oil has been used in folk medicine as topical treatment of eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, contact dermatitis, burns, hair growth, dry hair, bedsores, and muscular pain [7]. Emu oil, having similar composition as ostrich oil, has anti-inflammatory and skin desensitizing properties [4]. Topical application of emu oil was shown to reduce inflammation associated with reduced levels of interleukin 1-alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and other proinflammatory cytokines in a croton-oil-induced inflammation mouse model [4,8,9]; there is limited scientific research data on these properties with ostrich oil.

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