OLEOCANTHAL

Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Biochem/physiol Actions

The anti-inflammatory activity of oleocanthal is due to its dose dependent inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1, COX-2) enzymes in the prostaglandin biosynthesis (inflammatory) in the same pathway as Ibuprofen.Oleocanthal treatment demonstrates an inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion of various human breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma cells. In non-melanoma skin cancer, Oleocanthal reduces cell viability and migration, through inhibition of Erk and Akt phosphorylation and suppression of B-Raf expression. Oleocanthal was found to modulate estrogen receptor expression in luminal breast cancer and acts synergistically with tamoxifen treatment.Neuroprotective properties of Oleocanthal are due to inhibition of the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, a key hallmark in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer′s disease. Oleocanthal has been reported to increase Amyloid-β transport across the blood brain barrier via P-glycoprotein induction. It was found that Oleocanthal acts synergistically with Donepezil, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor approved for use for all Alzheimer′s disease stages. Anti-leishmanial activity was recently attributed to Oleocanthal when added in vitro and in vivo, in experimental models of Leishmania infection. The beneficial health effects and the biological action of oleocanthal was recently reviewed.

General description

Oleocanthal is a naturally occurring secoiridoid from olive oil, which was shown to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective activities.