Scientific Bibliography

Nourish Your Well-being Naturally - OLife Ireland

Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties of Olive Leaf Extracts

This section explores the potential health benefits of olive leaf extracts, focusing on their antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Antimicrobial Activity:

  • Studies have investigated the antimicrobial activity of olive leaf extracts, including aqueous extracts (Aliabadi et al., 2012) and oleuropein, a key component (Bayram et al., 2020).
  • Research suggests these extracts may be effective against various microbes, potentially finding applications in the food industry (Sánchez-Gutiérrez et al., 2021).

Antiviral Activity:

  • Research has also explored the potential antiviral properties of olive leaf extracts. Moatari et al. (2006) investigated the anti-influenza activity, while Ben-Amor et al. (2021) assessed the effectiveness against the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

References:

  • Aliabadi, M. A., Darsanaki, R. K., Rokhi, M. L., Nourbakhsh, M., & Raeisi, G. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of olive leaf aqueous extract. Annals of Biological Research, 3(8), 4189-4191.
  • Bayram, M., Topuz, S., & Kaya, C. (2020). Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Activity of Olive Leaf Extract and Oleuropein, Their Possibilities Usage in Foods. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 8(2), 337-347.
  • Ben-Amor, I., Musarra-Pizzo, M., Smeriglio, A., D’Arrigo, M., Pennisi, R., Attia, H., … & Sciortino, M. T. (2021). Phytochemical Characterization of Olea europea Leaf Extracts and Assessment of Their Anti-Microbial and Anti-HSV-1 Activity. Viruses, 13(6), 1085.
  • Moatari, A., MOTAMEDIFAR, M., & NEKOUEIAN, A. (2006). The Antiinfluenza Virus Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Olive Leaves.
  • Sánchez-Gutiérrez, M., Bascón-Villegas, I., Rodríguez, A., Pérez-Rodríguez, F., Fernández-Prior, Á., Rosal, A., & Carrasco, E. (2021). Valorisation of Olea europaea L. Olive leaves through the evaluation of their extracts: antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Foods, 10(5), 966.

Antioxidant Properties of Olive Leaf Extracts

This section explores the antioxidant potential of olive leaf extracts, highlighting the role of specific compounds within the extract.

  • Phenolic Compounds: Studies by Borjan et al. (2020) demonstrate that phenolic compounds in olive leaf extracts exhibit both antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
  • Hydroxytyrosol: Research by Aydar et al. (2017) explores the potential health benefits of hydroxytyrosol, a specific compound within olive leaf extract, focusing on its effects on human health.
  • Oleuropein: Yuan et al. (2015) investigate the antioxidant activity of oleuropein, another key component of olive leaf extract. Their research includes exploring methods to enhance its concentration through enzymatic hydrolysis.
  • Overall Activity: Studies by Bertelli et al. (2020) and Briante et al. (2002) analyze the overall antioxidant properties of olive leaf extracts, with Briante et al. (2002) also examining the antioxidant activity of specific derivatives.

Key Takeaways:

  • Olive leaf extracts demonstrate significant antioxidant potential.
  • Phenolic compounds, hydroxytyrosol, and oleuropein are key contributors to this antioxidant activity.

Further Exploration:

The studies referenced provide a strong foundation for the antioxidant properties of olive leaf extracts. Further research may explore how these properties translate to specific health benefits.

Potential Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract for Cardiovascular Health

This section examines research exploring the potential benefits of olive leaf extract for cardiovascular health.

  • Protection Against Oxidized LDL: Giovannini et al. (1999) investigated how tyrosol, a key component of olive oil and potentially present in olive leaf extract, protects against damage caused by oxidized LDL cholesterol.
  • Antihypertensive and Cardioprotective Effects: Miloradovic et al. (2011) studied the antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering) and cardioprotective (heart protecting) effects of olive leaf extract in rats with genetic hypertension.
  • LDL Oxidation and Gene Expression: Perrone et al. (2019) examined the effects of hydroxytyrosol, another olive leaf extract component, on LDL oxidation, cardiovascular health, and gene expression, suggesting potential for cardiovascular prevention.
  • Wide Biological Role: D’Angelo et al. (2020) explored the broader biological role of hydroxytyrosol, highlighting its potential therapeutic and preventative properties for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Blood Pressure Reduction: Research by Hassan Gilani et al. (2005) suggests that olive leaf extract may lower blood pressure by blocking calcium channels.
  • Clinical Trial: Susalit et al. (2011) conducted a clinical trial comparing olive leaf extract to Captopril (a blood pressure medication) in patients with stage-1 hypertension, suggesting the extract’s effectiveness.

Potential Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract for Blood Sugar Control

This section explores research on the potential benefits of olive leaf extract for managing blood sugar levels.

  • Animal Studies: Guex et al. (2019) investigated the antidiabetic effects of olive leaf extract in rats with high-fat diet induced diabetes. Wainstein et al. (2012) also studied olive leaf extract as a hypoglycemic agent (blood sugar lowering) in both diabetic rats and humans.
  • Human Studies: Derosa et al. (2022) examined the effects of olive leaf extract on blood sugar control in patients with impaired fasting glucose.
  • Review of Potential Benefits: El and Karakaya (2009) reviewed the potential health benefits of olive leaves, including their effects on blood sugar control.

Overall Findings:

These studies suggest that olive leaf extract may offer promise for blood sugar management. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and optimal use in humans.

Potential Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Olive Leaf Extract

This section explores research on the potential anti-inflammatory properties of olive leaf extract.

  • Intestinal Inflammation: Vezza et al. (2017) investigated the immunomodulatory (regulating the immune system) properties of olive leaf extract in reducing intestinal inflammation.
  • Antiulcer Potential: Musa et al. (2021) studied the antiulcer potential of olive leaf extract, examining its effectiveness through metabolic profiling and molecular docking techniques.
  • Active Components: Qabaha et al. (2018) pinpoint oleuropein, a key component of olive leaf extract, as being responsible for its major anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Comparative Study: Morvaridi et al. (2020) conducted a study comparing the effects of extra virgin olive oil and canola oil on inflammatory markers and gastrointestinal symptoms in ulcerative colitis patients, offering insights into potential anti-inflammatory properties of olive components.
  • Specific Compound: Abd Elmaksoud et al. (2021) investigated the effects of hydroxytyrosol, another olive leaf extract component, on alleviating intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis (programmed cell death) associated with ulcerative colitis.

Overall Findings:

These studies suggest that olive leaf extract and its components may offer anti-inflammatory benefits, potentially aiding in conditions like intestinal inflammation and ulcers. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and optimal use of olive leaf extract for inflammatory conditions.

Other Potential Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract

This section explores additional areas where olive leaf extract may offer health benefits.

  • Immune System Modulation: Magrone et al. (2018) investigated the potential of olive leaf extracts to modulate (regulate) the human immune response.
  • Broad Bioactive Properties: Özcan and Matthäus (2017) reviewed the various bioactive properties of olive leaves, suggesting benefits beyond those already explored.
  • Neuroprotection: Angeloni et al. (2017) examined the bioactivity of olive oil phenols, including those potentially present in olive leaf extract, in the context of neuroprotection (protecting nerve cells).

Please note: While these studies offer promising findings, more research is required to fully understand the potential benefits of olive leaf extract in these areas.

Additional Considerations:

  • The study by Morvaridi et al. (2020), included in the Anti-Inflammatory Function section, is also relevant here as it suggests potential benefits for gastrointestinal health beyond simply reducing inflammation.

Overall:

Research on the potential health benefits of olive leaf extract is ongoing and promising. While more data is needed for definitive conclusions, olive leaf extract shows promise for a range of health concerns.