Progresses in Pharmacological Effects of Hydroxytyrosol / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

Long-term consumption of olive oil helps reduce the risks of developing a series of diseases including cardiovascular disease, nervous system disease, cancer, etc. The minor compounds of olive oil, especially the star molecule--hydroxytyrosol, play an important role in these beneficial effects on human health. As a polyphenolic compound, hydroxytyrosol not only act as antioxidant and scavenge oxidizing substances directly, but also inhibit oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2 antioxidant system. Thus, hydroxytyrosol has great potential in the prevention and treatment of oxidative damage related diseases. This review focuses mainly on recent progresses in pharmacological effects of hydroxytyrosol on nervous system disease, angiocardiopathy, metabolic syndrome, inflammation and cancer.