Editor's Summary

1 September 2005

Extra-virgin territory

Phenol compounds in newly pressed olive oils contribute to a unique balance of flavours. One, an aldehyde derivative of deacetoxy-ligstroside aglycone (oleocanthal), may do rather more than that. Its pungency induces a stinging in the throat similar to that caused by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen. Now it seems that this similar perception also indicates a shared pharmacological activity. Oleocanthal acts as a natural anti-inflammatory compound with a potency and profile very like that of ibuprofen. Is it coincidence that some of the health benefits claimed for a Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, overlap with those attributed to NSAIDs?

Brief Communications: Phytochemistry:  Ibuprofen-like activity in extra-virgin olive oil

Enzymes in an inflammation pathway are inhibited by oleocanthal, a component of olive oil.

Gary K. Beauchamp, Russell S. J. Keast, Diane Morel, Jianming Lin, Jana Pika, Qiang Han, Chi-Ho Lee, Amos B. Smith & Paul A. S. Breslin

doi:10.1038/437045a

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