Pharmacology of olive biophenols

There are more than 100 different biophenols reported in olive samples. This chapter covers the chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, posology, adverse effects, and potential drug interactions of olives and major olive biophenols (OBP). Major biophenols detected in olive samples include hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and their secoiridoid derivatives (oleuropein, oleuropein aglycone, and elenolic acid dialdehydes), verbascoside, lignans, and flavonoids. By far the majority of reports on the chemistry of OBP pertain to their ability to function as antioxidants, but other bioactivities include binding to lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. The majority of pharmacological studies have focused on just four compounds hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, and verbascoside. Reported pharmacological properties include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, immunomodulatory, gastrointestinal, respiratory, autonomic, central nervous system, antimicrobial, anticancer and chemopreventive. While OBP are generally regarded as safe, further studies on potential adverse reactions may be required to demonstrate the safety of supplements with elevated levels of compounds.