Olive Leaf Extract (2011, 2015-16) Lowers High Blood Pressure

Learn more about high blood pressure (hypertension).

2016

Researchers tested treatment of oleuropein enriched olive oil extract on three groups of lab animals. One untreated group naturally had high blood pressure, one untreated group had been bred to have high blood pressure and the third group was an group of spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with oleuropein.

After five weeks of treatment the treated group had lowered systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and kidney and heart over-activity. The treatment also reversed impaired functioning of the aorta. It reduced aortic free radicals.

Researchers: M. Romero, M. Toral, et al
Published: Antihypertensive effects of oleuropein-enriched olive leaf extract in spontaneously hypertensive rats, Food & Function, January, 2016.

2015

In a preliminary study hypertensive volunteers received olive leaf extract with 15% oleuropein and their diastolic and systolic pressure, blood antioxidant level, nitric oxide and lipid levels in blood plasma were measured. At the end of the study period the researchers observed a decrease in both diastolic and systolic pressure, increased nitric oxide levels, and cholesterol of LDL and triglycerides were lowered which markedly improved the CHO/HLD ratio.

Researchers: C. Cabrera-Vique, M. Navarro-Alarcon, et al, Hypotensive Effect of an Extract of Bioactive Compounds of Olive Leaves: Preliminary Clinical Study, Nutrition Hospitalaria, July, 2015.

2011

Captopril is a drug often given to patients with high blood pressure. In this study researchers compared the effects of captopril with the effects of olive leaf extract, whose active ingredient is oleuropein.

This was a double-blind clinical study looking at both reduction of hypertension and safety compared to captopril.

A four week period with no medication to either group preceded the study period. The treatment period was eight weeks in duration. A dosage of 500 mg two times a day was given over the eight week period to one group, and normal dosage of captopril to the other group.

Both groups had stage one hypertension which means systolic pressure of 140 to 159 mmHg and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 to 99 mmHg.

Evaluations took place on a weekly basis for blood pressure and additionally the blood lipid profile was measured after each four week period.

At the end of the study period both groups had a reduction of both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

Additionally, there was a significant reduction in the triglyceride level in the group receiving the olive leaf extract.

Researchers: E. Sasalit, N. Agus, et al
Published: Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract effective in patients with stage-1 hypertension: comparison with Captopril, Phytomedicine, February, 2011.