Olive Leaf Extract

The olive tree is steeped in ancient tradition as a source of food, medicines, and even building materials. The scientific name, Olea europaea, translates literally as European Olive. About 80% of olives are used for producing olive oil, and about 20% are used as “table olives” to be eaten directly. The major bioactive compound in olives is the very bitter oleuropein, which is removed by brining and other processes to make the olives palatable. Olives also contain other bioactive compounds such as tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleoside, luteolin, among others. However, oleuropein appears to be the most important active compound in olives. Unfortunately, the oleuropein content of olives is greatly reduced by processing. Fortunately, olive leaves also have a very high content of oleuropein and are not of much commercial value.Therefore, most olive supplements containing oleuropein are olive leaf extracts.

Oleuropein is the most commonly studied active ingredient in olive leaf extract, with some studies investigating hydroxytyrosol and other bioactive compounds. Numerous metabolic benefits have research support, including anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and lipid-lowering effects.A recent meta-analysis of clinical trials on the effects of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular health revealed that it lowered total and LDL cholesterol as well as diastolic blood pressure.¹ Although oleuropein is the most abundant and most studied active compound in olive leaf extract, it may not be the most important active ingredient. Oleuropein is a complex phenolic compound consisting of oleoside and hydroxytrosol, which are released after olive leaf extract is consumed. These compounds and are always in the plant are largely responsible for its benefits which include cell antioxidant activity as well a regulation of cellular growth and survival². The unique properties of cell growth regulation are rarely found in plant-based products and provide a valuable benefit for olive leaf extract.

References:

1.Razmpoosh, E., Abdollahi, S., Mousavirad, M. et al. The effects of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetol Metab Syndr 14, 151 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-022-00920-y

2.Rishmawi S, Haddad F, Dokmak G, Karaman R. A Comprehensive Review on the Anti-Cancer Effects of Oleuropein. Life (Basel). 2022 Jul 28;12(8):1140. doi: 10.3390/life12081140. PMID: 36013319; PMCID: PMC9409738.