Generality
Oleuropein and its glycoside are the most abundant polyphenols present in olive oil, as well as the products that give it its main organoleptic characteristics.
The same polyphenols would be responsible for the cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties of olive oil, which make it one of the most important nutraceutical foods of the Mediterranean diet.
Indications
Why use oleuropein? What is it for?
Oleuropein is a polyphenol present in olive oil, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity.
In light of its biological properties, oleuropein is successfully used in treatment and prevention:
- Of cardiovascular diseases;
- Of neurological pathologies;
- Aging (premature aging of the skin and organism);
- Damage caused by ultraviolet rays;
- Oncological pathologies;
- Oxidative and inflammatory diseases.
To the aforementioned activities would be added, according to very recent evidence, also antimicrobial ones, which proved to be effective during gram positive and negative bacteria infections.
In addition to a direct antimicrobial effect, the protective activity of oleuropein would derive from the ability to enhance the non-specific immune response, offering a stronger and more effective protection mechanism.
Benefits and Property
What benefit has oleuropein shown during the studies?
Although most of the currently documented evidence relates mostly to in vitro or experimental models, the indications on the clinical efficacy of oleuropein are particularly interesting.
Oleuropein and cancer
From the numerous experimental evidences, oleuropein and its glycoside would carry out an important antitumor activity towards different neoplastic clones.
The induction of the apoptotic process on the one hand and the regulation of the normal proliferative cycle on the other, would seem to be the main anti-tumor mechanisms of action attributed to oleuropein and its catabolites, such as hydroxytyrosol.
To these nonspecific activities, directed towards glioblastoma cells, renal adenocarcinoma, pulmonary adenocarcinoma, melanoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma, specific activities would be added with respect to HER2 positive breast neoplastic clones.
In these cases, the intake of oleuropein, according to some authors, would seem to reduce the development of drug resistance of tumor clones, making monoclonal therapy with trastuzumab decidedly more effective.
Oleuropein and anti-inflammatory activity.
The anti-inflammatory activity of oleuropein, observed in many experimental models, would seem to be accomplished precisely through the inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme.
This mechanism would result in the reduction of the expression of Leukotrienes B4 and other inflammatory cytokines, responsible for the molecular events underlying the inflammatory process.
Although still completely experimental, this property could certainly be an added value to the clinical efficacy of oleuropein.
Oleuropein and antioxidant activity
The antioxidant activity of oleuropein would take place both through direct scavenger mechanisms and through the expression of antioxidant agents.
The possibility of reducing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species would therefore have important repercussions, especially in the neurological and cardiovascular field.
More precisely, the intake of oleuropein could protect from the damaging action of oxygen free radicals, an important biological event in the course of diseases such as Alzheimer's.
The antioxidant action is also valuable in protecting the nervous system and contextually the cardiovascular system from the atherogenic action of oxidized LDL.
Oleuropein and cardioprotective activity
The cardioprotective activity of oleuropein derives from the combination of different biological properties.
More precisely, they would justify the preventive role of oleuropein against cardiovascular diseases:
- the reduction of oxidation of LDL particles, known for their high atherogenicity,
- the antithrombotic action exercised through the inhibition of platelet aggregation,
- anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective action.
The cardioprotective effect has been widely observed and characterized in various experimental models, in which the onset of cardiovascular complications has been significantly delayed.
Oleuropein and antiaging activity
The application of nutraceuticals in the antiaging field has been very interesting in recent years.
Among the proposed remedies, olive oil and in particular its active ingredients, such as oleuropein, have carved out a leading role.
At the base of the antiaging power of oleuropein there would be:
- The cytoprotective action against fibroblasts;
- The antiproteolytic action against collagen fibers;
- The antioxidant action directed towards structural proteins and lipids;
- Genoprotective action;
- The protective action against ultraviolet radiation and other environmental oxidants.
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Doses and method of use
How to use oleuropein
Oleuropein and its glycoside are present in concentrations up to 14% of the dry weight of young olives and 6-9% in dried leaves.
Several supplements have dry olive extracts titrated in oleuropein for 12 and 20%, equal on average to 50 - 200 mg daily.
The use in capsules makes it particularly easy to take.
Side effects
Clinically relevant side effects are not known at the moment following the use, as a supplement, of oleuropein, at the recommended dosages.
Contraindications
When should oleuropein not be used?
The use of oleuropein is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to the source of extraction.
Pharmacological Interactions
Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of oleuropein?
The pharmacological interactions between oleuropein and other active ingredients are not worthy of clinical note.
However it would be useful to remember the antithrombotic effect of oleuropein, potentially problematic for patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy.
Moreover, from recent evidence, oleuropein would seem to make reversible the resistance gained by breast cancer cells to trastuzumab.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking oleuropein?
Particular caution and strict medical supervision when using oleuropein should be observed:
- From patients suffering from coagulation disorders or subjected to anticoagulant therapy, given the antithrombotic effect of the active ingredient;
- From patients who use oleuropein for medical purposes;
- From pregnant women and nurses, given the lack of efficacy and safety studies.
