title: Effects of the olive-derived polyphenol oleuropein on human health.
abstract: The use of the products derived from the olive tree on human health dates back centuries. In several civilizations, the olive tree had and still has a very strong cultural and religious symbolism. Notably, the official seal and emblem of the World Health Organization features the rod of Asclepius over a world map surrounded by olive tree branches, chosen as a symbol of peace and health. Recently, accumulating experimental, clinical and epidemiological data have provided support to the traditional beliefs of the beneficial effect provided by olive derivates. In particular, the polyphenols present in olive leaves, olives, virgin (unrefined) olive oil and olive mill waste are potent antioxidant and radical scavengers with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we review the positive impact on human health of oleuropein, the most prevalent polyphenol present in olives. In addition, we provide data collected in our laboratory on the role of oleuropein in counteracting lipid accumulation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, Rome 00198, Italy. barbara.barbaro@fondazioneandreacesalpino.it.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barbaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Oncology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute IRCCS, Rome 00144, Italy. toietta@ifo.it.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toietta
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, Rome 00198, Italy. roberta.maggio@fondazioneandreacesalpino.it.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maggio
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, Rome 00198, Italy. mario.arciello@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arciello
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy. mirko.tarocchi@unifi.it.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy. andrea.galli@unifi.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Molecular Medicine and Nanobiotechnologies (IBMN), National Research Council (CNR), Rome 00185, Italy. clara.balsano@cnr.it.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balsano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D031658:Olea / Q000737:chemistry*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids; D059808:Polyphenols; D020011:Protective Agents; C002769:oleuropein