Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Aug 30;143(1):325-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.040. Epub 2012 Jul 1.
Crocodile oil has been used by traditional practitioners world-wide to treat microbial infections and inflammatory conditions. However, the scientific rationale behind its use is not completely understood. This study provides an updated fatty acid profile and novel scientific evidence of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of crocodile oil, obtained from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), justifying its use by traditional healers.
The fatty acid content of the oil was determined by gas chromatography and the major fatty acids were identified. A microplate method was used to assess activity of the oil against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. The anti-inflammatory activity of the oil was assessed by oral administration and topical application, utilising a mouse model of acute croton oil-induced contact dermatitis.
Sixteen fatty acids were identified with oleic, palmitic and linoleic acid being the major components of the oil. The optimal activity of the oil against the bacteria and fungus was obtained with 15% and 6% (w/v) oil respectively. No significant selectivity was observed against the bacterial species, but Candida albicans was more susceptible. The anti-inflammatory assays showed optimal activity at 3h after the oral administration of oil (60.8±5.5%) and at 12h after topical application (57.5±5.9%). This suggested a short duration of action when the oil was orally administered, and a longer duration of action when it was topically applied.
Subsequent studies may be directed towards the investigation of the mechanisms of action of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of crocodile oil and its fatty acids.
鳄鱼油已被世界各地的传统从业者用于治疗微生物感染和炎症性疾病。然而，其使用的科学原理尚不完全清楚。本研究提供了更新的脂肪酸谱，并提供了鳄鱼油（来自尼罗鳄（Crocodylus niloticus））的抗菌和抗炎特性的新科学证据，证明了传统治疗师使用它的合理性。
通过气相色谱法测定油的脂肪酸含量，并鉴定主要脂肪酸。使用微孔板法评估油对金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和白色念珠菌的活性。通过口服和局部应用利用小鼠急性巴豆油诱导接触性皮炎模型评估油的抗炎活性。
鉴定出 16 种脂肪酸，油酸、棕榈酸和亚油酸是油的主要成分。油对细菌和真菌的最佳活性分别在 15%和 6%（w/v）油时获得。对细菌种类没有观察到明显的选择性，但白色念珠菌更敏感。抗炎测定表明，口服油后 3 小时（60.8±5.5%）和局部应用后 12 小时（57.5±5.9%）具有最佳活性。这表明当油口服时作用持续时间较短，而当局部应用时作用持续时间较长。
后续研究可能针对鳄鱼油及其脂肪酸的抗菌和抗炎活性的作用机制进行研究。
