Traditionally, native Australian aborigines have used
emu oil for the treatment of
inflammation and to accelerate wound healing. Studies on mice suggest that topically applied
emu oil may have anti-inflammatory properties and may promote wound healing. We investigated the effects of ratite
oils (6 emu, 3 ostrich, 1 rhea) on immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) in vitro by culturing the cells in media with oil concentrations of 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0%. Peking duck,
tea tree, and
olive oils were used as comparative controls. The same
oils at 0.5% concentration were evaluated for their influence on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) survival over 48 hr and their ability to inhibit IFNγ production in PBMCs activated by
phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in ELISpot assays. Compared to no oil control, significantly shorter population doubling time durations were observed for HaCaT cells cultured in
emu oil (1.51×faster), ostrich oil (1.46×faster), and rhea oil (1.64×faster).
Tea tree oil demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity and
olive oil significantly prolonged (1.35×slower) cell population doubling time. In contrast, almost all
oils, particularly
tea tree oil, significantly reduced PBMC viability. Different
oils had different levels of inhibitory effect on IFNγ production with individual emu, ostrich, rhea, and duck oil samples conferring full inhibition. This preliminary investigation suggests that
emu oil might promote wound healing by accelerating the growth rate of keratinocytes. Combined with anti-inflammatory properties, ratite oil may serve as a useful component in bandages and
ointments for the treatment of
wounds and inflammatory skin conditions.