The effects of certain polyphenolic compounds in red wine, such as resveratrol and quercetin, have been widely investigated to determine the relationship between dietary phenolic compounds and the decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of polyphenolic compounds contained in other foods, such as olive oil, have received less attention and little information exists regarding the biological activities of the phenol fraction in olive oil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplatelet activity and antioxidant power of two isochromans [1-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-phenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-isochroman (encoded L116) and 1-phenyl-6,7-dihydroxy-isochroman (encoded L137)] recently discovered in olive oil and synthesized in our laboratory from hydroxytyrosol. These compounds were effective free radical scavengers and inhibited platelet aggregation and thromboxane release evoked by agonists that induce reactive oxygen species-mediated platelet activation including sodium arachidonate and collagen, but not ADP. Release of tritiated arachidonic acid from platelets was also impaired by L116 and L137. These results indicate that other Mediterranean diet nutraceuticals also exhibit antioxidant activity that could be beneficial in the prevention of vascular diseases.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.