Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract contains oleuropein, a polyphenol that may do a lot more than support the immune system. Researchers find that it can help lower bad cholesterol,2 reduce hypertension,3 protect brain functioning1, reduce the symptoms and inflammation from osteoarthritis4 and rheumatoid arthritis5, and protect the body from oxidative stress. It accomplishes these benefits because it is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Oleuropein is found in both olive oil and in the leaf of the tree, hence this useful extract is possible.
Cardiovascular support
There are a number of research studies with animals and also with human identical twins who have identical DNA to investigate its ability to reduce high blood pressure3. Oleuropein is a natural calcium channel blocker which acts to reduce tension inside blood vessel walls. It is helpful in cardiovascular disease because it helps prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
Nervous system support
Olive leaf extract contains polyphenols which exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-atherogenic, hypoglycemic, hepatic-, cardiac- and neuro-protective effects,6-12 and helps protect the brain and central nervous system from the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress-caused damage leading to strokes1 and age-related degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.13
Oleuropein binds amyloid beta 1–40 peptide molecules counteracting amyloid plaque generation and deposition. Furthermore, oleuropein inhibits tau,14 which aberrantly forms the amyloid-positive aggregates characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.15, 16, 18 Thus, olive helps treat and prevent build-up of Aβ, with decreased fibril formation risk.
Olive Leaf News
Want to learn more? See our blog for news on olive extract and leaves.
Footnotes
1. Olive leaf extract and nerve functioning.
2. Olive leaf extract and high cholesterol.
3. Olive leaf extract and hypertension.
4. Olive leaf extract and osteoarthritis.
5. Olive leaf extract and rheumatoid arthritis.
6. Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Geladopoulos T, Chrisofos M, Koutoukas P, Vassiliadis J, et al. (2006). Oleuropein: a novel immunomodulator conferring prolonged survival in experimental sepsis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Shock. Oct; 26(4):410-6.
7. Omar SH. (2010). Cardioprotective and neuroprotective roles of oleuropein in olive. Saudi Pharm J. Jul; 18(3):111-21.
8. Bulotta S, Celano M, Lepore SM, Montalcini T, Pujia A, et al. (2014). Beneficial effects of the olive oil phenolic components oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol: focus on protection against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. J Transl Med. Aug 3; 12():219.
9. Andreadou I, Iliodromitis EK, Mikros E, Constantinou M, Agalias A, et al. (2006). The olive constituent oleuropein exhibits anti-ischemic, antioxidative, and hypolipidemic effects in anesthetized rabbits. J Nutr. Aug; 136(8):2213-9.
10. Domitrović R, Jakovac H, Marchesi VV, Šain I, Romić Ž, et al. (2012). Preventive and therapeutic effects of oleuropein against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice. Pharmacol Res. Apr; 65(4):451-64.
11. Park S, Choi Y, Um SJ, Yoon SK, Park T. (2011). Oleuropein attenuates hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat diet in mice. J Hepatol. May; 54(5):984-93.
12. Kim SW, Hur W, Li TZ, Lee YK, Choi JE, et al. (2014). Oleuropein prevents the progression of steatohepatitis to hepatic fibrosis induced by a high-fat diet in mice. Mol Med. Apr 25; 46():e92.
13. Mohagheghi F, Bigdeli MR, Rasoulian B, Hashemi P, Pour MR. (2011). The neuroprotective effect of olive leaf extract is related to improved blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema in rat with experimental focal cerebral ischemia. Phytomedicine. Jan 15;18(2-3):170-5.
14. Daccache A, Lion C, Sibille N, Gerard M, Slomianny C, et al. (2011). Oleuropein and derivatives from olives as Tau aggregation inhibitors. Neurochem Int. May;58(6):700-7.
15. Barbaro B, Toietta G, Maggio R, Arciello M, Tarocchi M, et al. (2014). Effects of the olive-derived polyphenol oleuropein on human health. In J Mol Sci. Oct 14;15(10:18508-24.
16. Ibid. Daccache. (2011).
17. Rigacci S, Guidotti V, Bucciantini M, et al. (2011). Abeta(1-42) aggregates into non-toxic amyloid assemblies in the presence of the natural polyphenol oleuropein aglycon. Curr Alzheimer Res. Dec;8(8):841-52.