One of the most recognizable characteristics of a robust extra virgin olive oil is that peppery sensation in the back of your throat.
One of the compounds associated with that sensation is oleocanthal.
Oleocanthal is a naturally occurring phenolic compound in EVOO that has attracted considerable scientific attention for its potential anti-inflammatory and biological activity.
Researchers at the University of Louisiana-Monroe have investigated whether oleocanthal could influence some of the biological processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Their findings provide another intriguing piece of the puzzle—but this research is still in its early stages.
Oleocanthal and the Brain
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive changes in the brain, including the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and abnormal tau proteins, along with inflammation and the eventual loss of neurons.
Researchers have been investigating how oleocanthal may interact with some of these processes.
A study published in Nutrients examined oleocanthal's relationship with a receptor called C3a receptor 1, or C3AR1.
C3AR1 is involved in the body's innate immune system and inflammatory response.
Researchers have found abnormal C3AR1 activity associated with Alzheimer's disease, making the receptor an interesting potential target for further study.
What Did Researchers Find?
Researchers used 5xFAD mice, a laboratory model commonly used to study Alzheimer's disease.
They found that oleocanthal affected the regulation of C3AR1 and influenced pathways associated with neuroinflammation.
Researchers also developed oral formulations of oleocanthal designed to overcome some of the practical difficulties associated with the compound.
Oleocanthal is chemically reactive and responsible for some of EVOO's intense bitterness and throat pungency. Those characteristics present challenges when researchers want to isolate and deliver it consistently.
The new formulations were designed to improve its stability and delivery.
In the Alzheimer's mouse model, the formulations retained oleocanthal's biological activity and were associated with reduced beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain.
Why Is Beta-Amyloid Important?
Beta-amyloid is a protein fragment that can accumulate and form plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
These plaques are one of the characteristic features researchers examine when studying the disease.
Finding that oleocanthal influenced beta-amyloid accumulation in an experimental model doesn't mean that consuming EVOO will remove amyloid plaques from a person's brain.
It does, however, give researchers another reason to investigate oleocanthal and the mechanisms through which it may interact with Alzheimer's-related processes.
This Isn't the First Oleocanthal Research
Oleocanthal has been studied for several potential biological effects.
Research has examined its relationship with inflammation, beta-amyloid clearance and other mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration.
That's particularly interesting because oleocanthal is not an added ingredient.
It occurs naturally in extra virgin olive oil.
And it's one of a larger family of naturally occurring compounds that we generally refer to as Biophenols.
That Peppery Sensation Has Chemistry Behind It
Oleocanthal also gives us a wonderful example of the relationship between an EVOO's chemistry and its flavor.
That pungent sensation you sometimes experience in the back of your throat when tasting a fresh, robust EVOO isn't necessarily harshness or a defect.
Pungency is considered a positive characteristic of extra virgin olive oil.
Oleocanthal is particularly interesting because the same compound associated with that sensory experience is now the subject of research in areas ranging from inflammation to neurological disease.
But This Wasn't a Human Clinical Trial
This is the part we don't want to lose in an exciting headline.
Researchers have not demonstrated that oleocanthal prevents or treats Alzheimer's disease in humans.
This research involved laboratory models, including genetically modified mice.
The researchers themselves identified additional work that needed to be done, including studying oleocanthal's metabolism and establishing short- and long-term safety before human clinical testing.
So we should not take these results and conclude that consuming a particular amount of EVOO—or taking an oleocanthal supplement—will prevent Alzheimer's disease.
That's not what the research demonstrates.
Why the Research Still Matters
Preclinical research helps scientists determine which compounds and biological mechanisms are worth investigating further.
In this case, researchers found that oleocanthal interacted with a receptor involved in neuroinflammation and that oleocanthal formulations retained activity associated with reduced beta-amyloid accumulation in an Alzheimer's mouse model.
Those findings help researchers better understand how oleocanthal works, which can then inform future research.
And for those of us interested in olive oil, it provides another fascinating look at just how complex EVOO really is.
The Takeaway
Oleocanthal is one of the naturally occurring phenolic compounds found in extra virgin olive oil—and one of the compounds responsible for EVOO's characteristic peppery throat sensation.
Researchers using an Alzheimer's disease mouse model found that oleocanthal influenced C3AR1, neuroinflammatory pathways and beta-amyloid accumulation.
The findings are promising enough to warrant continued investigation, but they remain preclinical.
They don't establish EVOO or oleocanthal as a treatment or preventative for Alzheimer's disease.
What they do show is why researchers continue looking closely at the individual compounds found naturally within extra virgin olive oil.
Research Source
Qusa MH, Abdelwahed KS, El Sayed KA, et al. Research examining oleocanthal, C3AR1 and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1702.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or replace individualized medical advice.
Leave a comment