Oleuropein

What is Oleurpeine ?

Oleuropein is a glycosylated secoiridoid, a type of phenolic bitter compound found in the skin, flesh, seeds, and leaves of green olives. The term oleuropein is derived from the botanical name of the olive tree, Olea europaea. Oleuropein is a derivative of elenolic acid, linked to orthodiphenolhydroxytyrosol via an ester bond and to a glucose molecule via a glycosidic bond. 

The oleuropein molecule consists of three structural subunits: a polyphenol, namely 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzene-1,2-diol, also known as hydroxytyrosol (HT), a secoiridoid called elenolic acid and a glucose molecule. 

Along with oleocanthal and hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein is one of the main polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil, determining its sensory characteristics and health benefits. 

Pharmalogical effects:

Oleuropein possesses beneficial pharmacological effects such as cardioprotective activity (antioxidant ( Andreadou et al., 2006 ), anti-inflammatory ( Visioli et al., 1998 ), inhibition of platelet aggregation ( Petroni et al., 1995 ), anti-atherogenic ( Manna et al., 2004; Visioli and Galli, 2001 ) activity, anti-cancer ( Hamdi and Castellon, 2005 ), anti-microbial properties ( Bisignano et al., 1999 ) and neuroprotective activity b