Evening Primrose Oil or gamma-linolenic acid

Anyone hear of or try this?

(from McCaul, JA and PJ Lamey. Multiple oral mucoceles treated with gamma-linolenic acid: report of a case. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dec 1994, 32(6): 392-3)

"...We present a histologically verified account of multiple oral superficial mucoceles. In addition this case was treated with oil of evening primrose, whose active constituent, gamma-linolenic acid, is a precursor of the PCE series of prostaglandins. The result of this treatment was complete clinical resolution but recurrence following cessation of therapy..."

"...In the light of the histopathological report, three courses of cryotherapy were instituted as initial management but produced no clinical improvement. At this point, 4 weeks after referral, oil of evening primrose (Epogam-40 mg gamma-linolenic acid with 10 mg of tocopherol 12-hourly) was prescribed. At review after 1 month of therapy all lesions had completely resolved and the soft palate appeared clinically normal. Therapy was continued for a total of 3 months. Three months after discontinuation of therapy the lesions recurred but were fewer in number with five superficial mucoceles being present. The patient elected to have no further treatment and the remaining lesions were still present at review 18 months after initial presentation..."

"...The clinical result of alteration of n-6 EFA metabolism may be decreased inflammation as PGE has anti-inflammatory effects and effects on cell membranes. The effects on cell membrane double bonds may produce changes in membrane fluidity and cell functions. Consequently the function of the immune system, as well as expression of a variety of surface receptors, could be altered. Animals deprived of linolenic acid have been shown to develop severe atrophy of the salivary and lacrimal glands with reduced saliva and tear secretion.16-18 Oil of evening primrose has been shown to produce a significant
improvement in lacrimal gland function in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome.
In conclusion, if minor salivary gland function and salivary composition plays a role in the pathogenesis of multiple superficial mucoceles, then agents such as gamma-linolenic acid may hasten resolution by altering one or both of these factors. It should be stressed
however that gamma-linolenic acid, while apparently successful in the management of this case, has not yet been tested in a controlled manner. The rarity of the condition of multiple mucoceles appears to preclude a controlled scientific study of the efficacy of
gamma-linonenic acid in management..."