Researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center and collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania, The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and Firmenich, found that a naturally chemical in extra-virgin olive oils is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.

Named Oleocanthal by the researchers, the compound inhibits activity of cyclooxygenase ( COX ) enzymes.

The finding is significant because inflammation increasingly is believed to play a key role in a variety of chronic diseases. “ Some of the health–related effects of the Mediterranean diet may be due to the natural anti-COX activity of Oleocanthal from premium olive oils,” observes Gary Beauchamp, at Monell.

The findings are described in the journal Nature.

The researchers were led to the discovery by the serendipitous observation that fresh extra-virgin olive oil irritates the back of the throat in a unique and unusual manner. “ I had considerable experience swallowing and being stung in the throat by Ibuprofen from previous studies on its sensory properties,” explains Beauchamp. “ So when I tasted newly-pressed olive oil, I was startled to notice that the throat sensations were virtually identical.”

Taking their lead from the cues provided by olive oil’s throaty bite, the researchers systematically evaluated the sensory properties of a chemical compound thought to be responsible for the throat irritating property of premium olive oils.
When results confirmed that the irritating intensity of a given extra-virgin olive oil was directly related to how much of the chemical it contained, the researchers named the compound Oleocanthal ( oleo=olive; canth=sting; al=aldehyde ).

To rule out the possibility that any other compound was involved, chemists at Monell and Penn created a synthetic form of Oleocanthal identical in all respects to that found naturally in olive oil, and showed that it produced exactly the same throat irritation.

The sensory similarities between Oleocanthal and Ibuprofen led scientists at Monell and the University of the Sciences to investigate potential common pharmacological properties. Studies revealed that, like Ibuprofen, Oleocanthal inhibits activity of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.
Because inhibition of COX activity underlies the anti-inflammatory actions of Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), the new findings suggest Oleocanthal is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Paul Breslin, at Monell, remarks, “ The Mediterranean diet, of which olive oil is a central component, has long been associated with numerous health benefits, including decreased risk of stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, lung cancer, and some dementias. Similar benefits are associated with certain NSAIDs, such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen. Now that we know of Oleocanthal’s anti-inflammatory properties, it seems plausible that Oleocanthal plays a causal role in the health benefits associated with diets where olive oil is the principal source of fat.”

Source: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 2005


XagenaMedicine2005