Effects of the Olive-Derived Polyphenol Oleuropein on Human Health

1Archeological evidence suggests that Neolithic inhabitants of the Mediterranean basin have collected and consumed olives since the copper age (sixth millennium BC) and that during the third millennium BC, the cultivation of olive trees and oil production were well established in the region. Over the centuries, olive oil has been used as a cosmetic and pharmacological agent. Recently the beneficial effects of virgin olive oil have been ascribed to the content of polyphenols, which exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-atherogenic, hypoglycemic, hepatic-, cardiac- and neuro-protective effects. Virgin olive oil is consumed unrefined, and humans absorb a large part of the ingested olive oil phenols. Oleuropein, the molecule responsible for unprocessed olives characteristic bitter taste, is the most prevalent phenolic component in olive leaves, seed, pulp and peel of unripe olives (up to 14% of the dry weight) (Table 1); during fruit maturation, oleuropein undergoes hydrolysis, yielding different products, including hydroxytyrosol (2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol). Olive variety and the process used for making olives edible highly affect oleuropein content in table olives. Similarly, several factors, including the kind of olive fruit, the ripening stage, the oil production and extraction technologies, determine the final content of oleuropein in virgin olive oil. In addition, the difference in the methods used for oleuropein analysis may account for the variability of the reported oleuropein content in several sources (Table 1). In 1959, oleuropein was isolated and its chemical structure defined, opening the way to a more precise understanding of the molecular basis of its action.

2Here, we review major clinical and experimental evidence underlining the pharmacological properties of oleuropein on human health. In addition, we provide original data on the role of oleuropein in counteracting lipid accumulation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

3The antioxidant effect of oleuropein is exerted through different mechanisms, resulting in an enhancement of the antioxidant response. Oleuropein’s antioxidant potential is mainly related to its ability to improve radical stability through the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the free hydrogen of the hydroxyl group and its phenoxyl radicals.

4Oleuropein may counteract oxidative stress, as assessed in vitro by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) test, demonstrating an antioxidant potential similar to those exerted by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E). Oleuropein has a protective effect in counteracting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, both in vitro, inhibiting, in a dose-dependent manner, LDL copper-induced oxidation, and in vivo, reducing plasmatic levels of total, free and ester cholesterol in rabbits. The protective effects of oleuropein on lipid oxidation was demonstrated through the evaluation of the decreased formation of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) and of lipid peroxides by-products, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Moreover, Visioli et al. demonstrated in healthy volunteers that administration of oleuropein decreases, in a dose-dependent manner, the urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2α, indicating lower in vivo lipid peroxidation. A scavenging effect of oleuropein was also demonstrated with respect to hypochlorous acid, a potent oxidant species produced in vivo by neutrophils myeloperoxidase at the site of inflammation. Oleuropein has also the ability to scavenge nitric oxide (NO); in addition, it also promotes the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cells.

5Beneficial effects of oleuropein were also described with regard to heart damage, as demonstrated in isolated rat hearts subjected to 30 min of no-flow global ischemia and then reperfused. Data evidenced a reduction of creatine kinase and reduced glutathione release in the perfusate. Either the oxidized glutathione and the extent of lipid peroxidation were reduced, strengthening the hypothesis that oleuropein may exert antioxidant beneficial effects in the prevention of coronary heart disease.

6Some studies documented that oleuropein elicits anti-inflammatory effects by lipoxygenase activity, production of leukotriene B4, inhibiting biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines or modulating inflammatory parameters. In particular, Impellizzeri et al. reported that administration of oleuropein in a mouse model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy causes a significant reduction of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO).

7The inflammatory response involves non-cellular and cellular components. Potent pro-inflammatory cytokines include TNF-α and IL-1β, which are synthesized immediately after injury. TNF-α and IL-1β are involved in a wide range of events, including vascular permeability, recruitment of inflammatory cells, induction of inducible iNOS and cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) at the injury site. iNOs is one of the three distinct enzymes that produce NO, a free radical gas molecule, which has a crucial role in the development of the secondary inflammatory response. Similar to iNOS, the expression of COX-2, an enzyme involved in the generation of some inflammatory mediators, is also mediated by TNF-α and IL-1β. Khalatbary et al. demonstrated that oleuropein treatment significantly attenuates the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, and, consequently, the expression of iNOS and COX-2.

8Olive-derived phenolic compounds, including oleuropein, can decrease the production of monocytic inflammatory mediators, decreasing the production of IL-1β in human whole blood cultures stimulated with monocytes-triggered by LPS. Interestingly, olive oil phenolic compounds decrease the circulating concentrations of IL-6, a pro-inflammatory agent that stimulates inflammation in several pathologies. As reported by Puel et al., oleuropein is able to elicit protective effects on bone loss in a model of ovariectomy associated with inflammation, probably by modulating parameters of inflammation (such as fibrinogen and spleen weight).

9Oleuropein is endowed also with antithrombotic and anti-atherogenic properties, which, at least in part, depend on its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. The protective effect of oleuropein against post-ischemic oxidative burst was investigated by measuring the release in the coronary effluent of oxidized glutathione, a sensitive marker of the heart’s exposure to oxidative stress. Reflow in ischemic hearts is accompanied by a prompt release of oxidized glutathione; in ischemic hearts pretreated with oleuropein, this release was significantly reduced. Moreover, oleuropein has an additional beneficial effect on several aspects of cardiovascular disease via its vasodilatory, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-ischemic and hypotensive properties. Furthermore, olive-derived polyphenols, including oleuropein, promoting generation of NO from nitrite in the stomach, induce smooth muscle relaxation. Oleuropein exerts potent antioxidant activities, such as inhibition of low density lipoproteins oxidation and free radical scavenging. In addition oleuropein modifies pathophysiological processes at the cellular level by inhibiting the production of superoxide anions, thromboxane and leukotriene B4, by neutrophils and by reducing platelet aggregation.

10Wang et al. described the anti-atherosclerotic effect of oleuropein and its relationship with inflammatory response, using an experimentally rabbit model of atherosclerosis. The administration of oleuropein was able to decrease serum levels of lipids and suppressed the development of atherosclerosis, downregulating the expression of TNF-α, which, in turn, decreased the expression of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule. Oleuropein, therefore, attenuates atherosclerosis via several mechanisms, including lowering lipids, inhibiting LDL oxidation, suppressing inflammatory factors and preventing macrophage activation.

11Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the incidence of some types of cancer in the Mediterranean basin is lower compared to other areas; this favorable outcome has been ascribed to the Mediterranean diet. The Lyon Diet Heart Study was the first large randomized clinical trial demonstrating the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet in reducing mortality by 56% and in decreasing the cancer risk by 61% in a four-year follow up.

12The Mediterranean diet has been inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Countries in the Mediterranean area are characterized by economic, cultural, religious and ethnical disparities. Moreover, agricultural production and the availability of fish and meat are different along the Mediterranean basin, profoundly affecting the local diet. Nonetheless, the so-called Mediterranean diet is characterized by consumption of large quantities of vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains and fiber-containing foods, fish, low-fat dairy, moderate wine intake, low red meat consumption and high intake of monounsaturated fatty acids derived from olive oil.

13Compelling evidence has pointed to olive and olive oil consumption as an important factor for the beneficial effects on health of the Mediterranean diet. Indeed, virgin olive oil consumption and the incidence of some forms of cancers, including colon, breast and skin cancer, are inversely correlated. Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for the anti-tumor properties of the virgin olive oil. Olive oil may act in reducing environmental and food carcinogens bioavailability. Most importantly, virgin olive oil may exert its antineoplastic function by protecting cells from oxidative stress. This is a consequence of its high content of oleic acid, which is less susceptible to oxidation than n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids present in other edible oils (palm, peanut, soybean and sun flower) and for the presence of a high content of antioxidant components (such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein), which are potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers. The beneficial effects of olive oil may in part be attributable to the ability of polyphenolic compounds to induce epigenetic modulation and/or altered miRNA expression.

14Amongst the minor antioxidants present in olive oil and olives, oleuropein has been indicated as the one responsible for the major anti-tumor activity. Several lines of in vitro evidence have been collected demonstrating the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of oleuropein in different cancer cell lines (Table 2). In addition, studies on experimental animals have determined that oleuropein treatment prevents development of skin, soft tissue and breast cancer.

15Besides acting directly on tumor cells, oleuropein antitumor activity may be related to its anti-angiogenic function. Tumors contain several cell types that interact with each other and with the surrounding tissue, creating a complex interacting network within a permissive microenvironment. The stromal components support tumor growth and promote invasion through the stimulation of cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Growth of the tumor mass creates a nutrient and oxygen-deprived environment, which induces the activation and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) to sprout new vessels from pre-existing ones. This process, termed angiogenesis, is complex and tightly regulated, resulting from the balance between multiple angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors from the tumor and the surrounding host cells.

16In recent years, major efforts have focused on identifying and testing anti-angiogenic compounds as cancer therapeutics. Several anti-angiogenic agents are currently under investigation in clinical trials. Most of them are small molecule inhibitors targeting molecular mediators of angiogenesis and growth factor receptors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Others are specific monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, which targets VEGF and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of several cancers, including metastatic colon cancer, pulmonary carcinoma, metastatic breast cancer, renal and ovarian cancer, and ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGFR2, for metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.

17In this scenario, oleuropein has been described as an inhibitor of endothelial proliferation, and this use was patented. In support of the patent application, Hamdi et al. provide evidence collected using both the CAM (chick chorioallantoic membrane) assay, traditionally used to assess the anti-angiogenic property of various compounds to study neonatal angiogenesis, and an “Adult Mouse Ear Model” to study the effect of oleuropein associated with wound healing. In both models, after oleuropein treatment, they observed a reduction of the number of blood vessels, indicating oleuropein as an anti-angiogenic factor.

18Furthermore, Kimura et al. administered oleuropein (10 and 25 mg/kg) orally twice a day before and after UVB irradiation, for 30 weeks. Their results suggest that the preventative effects of oleuropein on chronic UVB-induced skin damage and carcinogenesis and tumor growth may be due to the inhibition of the expression of VEGF, as well as of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 through a reduction in COX-2 levels.

19Moreover, Scoditti et al. presented data on angiogenesis inhibition by oleuropein and its derivative hydroxytyrosol. They showed a significant inhibition of endothelial tube formation and migration, targeting endothelial cells, so providing more insights into the potential direct role of oleuropein in interfering with the multifaceted process of angiogenesis.

20In this regard, Hamdi and Castellon refer to oleuropein as a new class of anti-cancer compound, which targets multiple steps in cancer progression. As an antioxidant, it may protect cells from incurring genetic damage leading to oncogenesis. As an anti-angiogenic agent, it can prevent tumor progression. Finally, by directly inhibiting cancer cells, it can lead to tumor regression.

21Olive oil may be helpful in reducing the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a pathological condition in which fatty infiltration in the liver exceeds 5%–10% of its weight.

22Oleuropein administration has an hepatoprotective and therapeutic effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice. Moreover, a diet supplemented with oleuropein reduces induced hepatic steatosis and progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice fed with a high fat diet. Data collected in our laboratory confirmed that oleuropein supplementation is able to diminish lipid accumulation in the liver of mice fed with a high fat diet (Figure 1).

23Moreover, we observed also a reduction in the increment of body, liver and heart weights in mice fed with an oleuropein-enriched diet (Figure 2). Previous work performed in rats fed with oil leaf extract has suggested that liver weight reduction might be attributable to reduced collagen and fat deposition. This effect of oleuropein has been associated with down-regulation of hepatic lipogenesis and up-regulation of visceral fat thermogenesis.

24The presence of oleuropein in several parts of the plant (Table 1) confers to Olea europaea L. natural resistance to microbe attack. Oleuropein exerts its antimicrobial activity against both Gram negative and positive bacteria, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella enteritidis. Moreover, in vitro studies revealed oleuropein antimycoplasmal activity, also against mycoplasma strains resistant to common antibiotic treatments.

25For its antimicrobial properties, oleuropein can be used as a food additive and for the treatment of human intestinal or respiratory tract infections. The molecular mechanisms underlying oleuropein antimicrobial activity are still unclear.

26Oleuropein also possesses a well-documented antiviral activity. Its efficacy against hemorrhagic septicemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was demonstrated. The beneficial effect of oleuropein against VHSV is exerted through a virucidal effect, reducing virus infectivity and avoiding cell-to-cell fusion of uninfected cells, probably acting on the virus envelope. Oleuropein treatment efficiently blocks the secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen from infected HepG2 2.2.15 and reduces the viremia in duck infected with hepatitis B virus. Oleuropein’s action against HIV has been correlated to its ability to bind and inhibit in a dose-dependent manner HIV-1 integrase activity. Oleuropein, therefore, represents a suitable molecular template that should facilitate the identification and design of innovative HIV-1 integrase inhibitors.

27Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, occur as a result of a progressive loss of the structure or function of neurons. Mitochondrial DNA damage and oxidative stress, both key factors in aging, contribute to the development and progression of degenerative diseases. Some studies have been performed in order to evaluate the potential neuroprotection activity of oleuropein. In particular, intra-peritoneal administration of oleuropein once a day for six months in aged rats improved the antioxidant enzyme activities in midbrains in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, treated rats had more neurons in the substantia nigra, revealing that oleuropein protects against dopaminergic neuron loss. This result provides new hope in preventing or attenuating damage or loss of dopaminergic neurons associated with Parkinson’s disease.

28Oleuropein was also indicated as a molecule with a therapeutic potential against Alzheimer’s disease. Oleuropein, in fact, has been described as a non-covalent binding molecule for amyloid-β (Aβ) 1–40 peptide. The abnormal production of Aβ (1–40), due to the β- and γ-secretase cleavages of amyloid precursor protein and its aggregation, underline the deposition of the amyloid plaques, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, mass spectrometry investigations revealed that the amino acids involved in oleuropein binding are crucial for the Aβ (1–40) peptide polymerization and fibril formation, indicating that oleuropein may exert a protective action counteracting the amyloid plaque generation and deposition. In addition, oleuropein is an inhibitor of Tau, a microtubule-associated protein known to aberrantly form amyloid-positive aggregates characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. A study on olive leaf extract containing oleuropein administrated intraperitoneally in adult male mice revealed an important effect on NGF and BDNF levels in olfactory bulbs and in brain, which are areas involved in neuritogenesis. Moreover, oleuropein may be effective at protecting rat spinal cord from secondary injury.

29Taken together, oleuropein can be ascribed to being one of the most important neuroprotective polyphenols.

30Olive oil and olive leaf extract are renowned natural traditional remedies used for the treatment of different conditions, including dermatitis, wound healing and treatment of burns, stomach and intestinal pain, malaria-induced fever, different infections, alopecia, rheumatic pain, otitis, rickets, distortions, sciatica, hypertension, as a diuretic, as a laxative and as an aphrodisiac.

31In light of the unique combination properties of oleuropein (Table 3), it looks like we should “go back to the future” and continue to exploit this key dietary component of the Mediterranean diet to promote human health.