Polyphenols benefits of olive leaf (Olea europaea L) to human health

Nutr Hosp. 2014 Dec 17;31(3):1427-33. doi: 10.3305/nh.2015.31.3.8400.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Introduction: The phenolic compounds present in olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) confer benefits to the human health.

Objectives: To review the scientific literature about the benefits of the polyphenols of olive leaves to human health.

Method: Literature review in the LILACS-BIREME, SciELO and MEDLINE databases for publications in English, Portuguese and Spanish with the descriptors "Olea europaea", "olive leaves", "olive leaf", "olive leaves extracts", "olive leaf extracts", "phenolic compounds", "polyphenols", "oleuropein", "chemical composition", and "health". There were identified 92 articles, but only 38 related to the objectives of the study and 9 articles cited in the works were included due to their relevance.

Results and discussion: The phenolic compounds present in olive leaves, especially the oleuropein, are associated to antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and cardioprotective activity. Furthermore, studies associate the oleuropein to an anti-inflammatory effect in trauma of the bone marrow and as a support in the treatment of obesity.

Introducción: Los compuestos fenólicos presentes en las hojas del olivo (olea europaea l.) conferir beneficios para la salud humana. Objetivos: Revisar la literatura científica sobre los beneficios de los polifenoles de hojas de olivo para la salud humana. Método: Revisión de la literatura en las bases de datos lilacs-bireme, scielo y medline para publicaciones en inglés, portugués y español con los descriptores “olea europaea”, “hojas de olivo”, “hoja de olivo”, “hojas de olivo extractos”, “los extractos de hoja de olivo”, “compuestos fenólicos”, “polifenoles”, “oleuropeína”, “composición química”, y “salud”. Se identificaron 92 artículos, pero sólo 38 en relación con los objetivos del estudio y 9 artículos citados en las obras se incluyeron debido a su relevancia. Resultados y discusión: Los compuestos fenólicos presentes en las hojas del olivo, especialmente la oleuropeína, se asocian a antioxidante, antihipertensivo, hipoglucemiante, actividad hipocolesterolémico y cardioprotector. además, los estudios asocian la oleuropeína a un efecto anti-inflamatorio en trauma de la médula ósea y como soporte en el tratamiento de la obesidad.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / analysis
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / analysis
  • Antihypertensive Agents / analysis
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Cardiotonic Agents / analysis
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Colitis / drug therapy
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Food, Organic*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / analysis
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / analysis
  • Iridoid Glucosides
  • Iridoids / isolation & purification
  • Iridoids / pharmacology
  • Iridoids / therapeutic use
  • Olea / anatomy & histology*
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Polyphenols* / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Iridoid Glucosides
  • Iridoids
  • Polyphenols
  • oleuropein