Effects of the Olive-Derived Polyphenol Oleuropein on Human Health

Abstract

The use of the products derived from the olive tree on human health dates back centuries. In several civilizations, the olive tree had and still has a very strong cultural and religious symbolism. Notably, the official seal and emblem of the World Health Organization features the rod of Asclepius over a world map surrounded by olive tree branches, chosen as a symbol of peace and health. Recently, accumulating experimental, clinical and epidemiological data have provided support to the traditional beliefs of the beneficial effect provided by olive derivates. In particular, the polyphenols present in olive leaves, olives, virgin (unrefined) olive oil and olive mill waste are potent antioxidant and radical scavengers with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we review the positive impact on human health of oleuropein, the most prevalent polyphenol present in olives. In addition, we provide data collected in our laboratory on the role of oleuropein in counteracting lipid accumulation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Hydroxytyrosol in the Prevention of the Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

“…Lifestyle interventions using a Mediterranean-type diet reported inverse associations between a good adherence to this pattern and the risk of CVD [9] or T2DM [10] and showed a reduction in the incidence of key components of MetS including obesity [11,12,13], hypertension [14,15,16], glucose tolerance [17], dyslipidemia [18] and insulin resistance [19]. Olive oil, the main MUFAs in the Mediterranean diet, has been widely identified as the initiator of these health benefits with increasing consumption of virgin olive oil (VOO) enhancing lipid profile, reducing blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction, improving inflammatory and prothrombotic environment through reduced Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) oxidizability [20].…”

Study of the antioxidant potential of Arbequina extra virgin olive oils from Brazil and Spain applying combined models of simulated digestion and cell culture markers

“…These beneficial effects have been mainly attributed to polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants, and also possess other potent biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-atherogenic or hypoglycemic (Barbaro et al, 2014). Special attention has received the study of the antioxidants of EVOO, due to their importance from health, biological and sensory points of view (Servili et al, 2014).…”

Adherencia a la dieta mediterránea y su relación con la calidad del desayuno en estudiantes de la Universidad de Murcia

“…Los resultados demuestran el gran conocimiento que tienen los estudiantes sobre los efectos beneficiosos de este aceite, ya que casi el 100% de los encuestados lo utiliza a pesar de tener un mayor coste económico que los aceites de semillas oleaginosas. Al aceite de oliva también se le han atribuido numerosos efectos beneficiosos para la salud, como un efecto hepatoprotector, cardioprotector, neuroprotector, antimicrobiano y antiinflamatorio (30,31), asociados con el ácido graso mayoritario y con la presencia de compuestos minoritarios únicos que le confieren parte de sus propiedades beneficiosas (oleopeurina, oleocantal, escualeno…) (35,36,37) cuando es consumido asiduamente.…”