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Brief Communications

Nature 437, 45-46 (1 September 2005) | doi:10.1038/437045a; Published online 31 August 2005

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

Gary K. Beauchamp1, Russell S. J. Keast1,4, Diane Morel2, Jianming Lin5, Jana Pika5, Qiang Han3, Chi-Ho Lee1,4, Amos B. Smith1,3 & Paul A. S. Breslin1

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

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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.

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