Olive leaf extract is derived from leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea). It has a variety of bioactive compounds, including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and oleanolic acid. Olive leaf extract has been used as a supplement for a variety of health benefits,

OLive is also an essential component of the Mediterranean diet which promotes better health, confirmed by scientific research.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties: 

• Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol are antioxidants that help  reduce inflammation and protect cells from free radical-oxidative damage.

Cardiovascular Health: 

• Supplements of olive leaf extract may help to lower blood pressure, lower  cholesterol levels, and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Blood Sugar Control: 

• Olive leaf extract may help to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels , with benefits to those with prediabetes or frank diabetes.

Antimicrobial and Antiviral Effects: 

• Oleuropein has antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and may be  a viable supplement to help with various  infections.
• Immune System Support: 
  • Olive leaf extract may improve immune system functioning, enhancing the body’s ability to fight infection.
    • Olive leaf extract has been linked to improved cognitive function, reduced risk of cancer, and protection against neurodegenerative diseases.
    • Olive oil and olive leaf extract have historical us as a remedy in the treatment of many different conditions, including dermatitis, wound healing and treatment of burns, stomach and intestinal pain, different infections, alopecia, rheumatic pain, otitis,  sciatica, hypertension, as a diuretic, as a laxative and as an aphrodisiac [60,98].
    • The NIH published a wide ranging review of Oleuropein the olive leaf derived polyphenol responsible for much of its benefits
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4227229/

Effects of the Olive-Derived Polyphenol Oleuropein on Human Health

This review points starts with the acknowledgement that the use of extracts derived from the olive tree dates back centuries in traditional medicine. In  modern times we see  accumulating evidence from both clinical and epidemiological studies which provide evidence  supporting many of the traditional beliefs regarding the health benefits of the olive tree and its derivatives. The polyphenol present in olive leaves, olives, and virgin olive oil are potent antioxidant and free radical scavengers and thus,  possess anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Oleuropein  is the most prevalent polyphenol present in olives.

Antioxidant Effect

Oleuropein exerts its effects via a variety of mechanisms which result in an antioxidant response [2,29]. Its action in this regard is primarily from its ability to improve radical stability [30]. Research has documented the beneficial effects of oleuropein for heart damage, seen in isolated rat heart studies[37].

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Atherogenic Effects

Oleuropein exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting lipoxygenase, and  the production of leukotriene B4 [38], and inhibiting the  synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines [39] . This also reduces inflammatory processes [40]. The research of Impellizzeri  [40] showed that the administration of oleuropein in a mouse caused a reduction of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO). Oleuropein, also decreases the production of monocytic inflammatory mediators, decreasing the production of IL-1β [44]. Phenolic compounds found in olive oil decrease concentrations of IL-6, the pro-inflammatory agent that stimulates inflammation in several many different disease states [45].
Oleuropein has also been shown to possess antithrombotic and anti-atherogenic properties, which, at least in part, depend on its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. The protective effect of oleuropein against post-ischemic oxidative burst was investigated in the lab in ischemic hearts which were pretreated with oleuropein. Oleuropein also benefits different aspects of cardiovascular disease as it has vasodilatory, anti-platelet aggregation, and anti-ischemic properties [47,48,49]. It has also been shown that olive-derived polyphenols, promote the generation of Nitrous oxide inducing smooth muscle relaxation [50]. Oleuropein may also  inhibit of low density lipoproteins oxidation.

Anti-Cancer Effects

There has been repeated scientific evidence presented which attributes the beneficial effects on health of the Mediterranean diet coming in so small part from the consumption of olives and olive oil[56]. Virgin olive oil consumption has been shown to have an inverse correlation to the incidence of several cancers, such as colon, breast and skin cancers. [57]. [58,59]. Olive oil might reduce environmental and food carcinogen bioavailability.  And also virgin olive oil could  exert its antitumor effect by protecting cells from oxidative stress. This is due to its high content of oleic acid, which makes this oil less susceptible to oxidation than n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids which are  present in other oils such as peanut, soybean and sun flower oils.
There are also other minor antioxidants present in olive oil and olives also responsible for its anti-tumor activity [62]. There is lab evidence demonstrating the antiproliferative cellular effects of oleuropein in different cancer cell lines [63] And experimental animal studies have shown  that oleuropein treatment prevents the development of skin [64], soft tissue [62] and breast cancer [65].
Olive oil and olive leaf extract are renowned natural traditional remedies used for the treatment of different conditions, including dermatitis, wound healing and treatment of burns, stomach and intestinal pain, malaria-induced fever, different infections, alopecia, rheumatic pain, otitis, rickets, distortions, sciatica, hypertension, as a diuretic, as a laxative and as an aphrodisiac [60,98].

• There have been a number of epidemiological studies which have shown that the incidence of some types of cancer in the Mediterranean basin is lower compared to other areas [54]. Many researchers have attributed this to the Mediterranean diet rich in olives and olive oil. A large well known study, theLyon Diet Heart Study demonstrated the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet in reducing mortality andin decreasing the cancer risk seen in a four-year study period [55].
  • https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-90589-6  Of note thius animal study showing mental benefits of olive leaf extracts.
  • Olive leaf extracts prevents obesity, cognitive decline, and depression in mice