Newly pressed extra-virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal — a compound whose pungency induces a strong stinging sensation in the throat, not unlike that caused by solutions of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen¹. We show here that this similar perception seems to be an indicator of a shared pharmacological activity, with oleocanthal acting as a natural anti-inflammatory compound that has a potency and profile strikingly similar to that of ibuprofen. Although structurally dissimilar, both these molecules inhibit the same cyclooxygenase enzymes in the prostaglandin-biosynthesis pathway.

1. Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
3. Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
4. Present addresses: Food Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia (R.S.J.K); Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul 143-130, South Korea (C.-H.L.)
5. Firmenich, PO Box 5880, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA

Correspondence to: Paul A. S. Breslin¹ Email: breslin@monell.org

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