Nutraceutical Role of Polyphenols and Triterpenes Present in the Extracts of Fruits and Leaves of Olea europaea as Antioxidants, Anti-Infectives and Anticancer Agents on Healthy Growth

Abstract

There is currently a worldwide consensus and recognition of the undoubted health benefits of the so-called Mediterranean diet, with its intake being associated with a lower risk of mortality. The most important characteristics of this type of diet are based on the consumption of significant amounts of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, which provide, in addition to some active ingredients, fiber and a proportion of vegetable protein, together with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as the main sources of vegetable fat. Fish and meat from poultry and other small farm animals are the main sources of protein. One of the main components, as already mentioned, is EVOO, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and to a lesser extent in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The intake of this type of nutrient also provides an important set of phytochemicals whose health potential is widely spread and agreed upon. These phytochemicals include significant amounts of anthocyanins, stilbenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes of varying complexities. Therefore, the inclusion in the diet of this type of molecules, with a proven healthy effect, provides an unquestionable preventive and/or curative activity on an important group of pathologies related to cardiovascular, infectious, and cancerous diseases, as well as those related to the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this review is therefore to shed light on the nutraceutical role of two of the main phytochemicals present in Olea europaea fruit and leaf extracts, polyphenols, and triterpenes, on healthy animal growth. Their immunomodulatory, anti-infective, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-carcinogenic capabilities show them to be potential nutraceuticals, providing healthy growth.

Tinospora cordifolia Stem Extract-mediated Green Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles and its Biological Applications

“…Polyphenols and pentacyclic triterpenes are worthwhile in antioxidant and anti-cancer activity. [29] The phenolics and flavonoids occurring in phytoextract can bind the exterior of selenium ion in selenious acid to initiate the formation of TC-SeNPs. The hydroxyl groups of phytoconstituents from the phenolics and flavonoids can act as a capping agent.…”

Genotoxic Assessment of Nutraceuticals Obtained from Agricultural Biowaste: Where Do We “AMES”?

“…Olea Europea cultivation occupies about 10 million hectares worldwide. Food industries mainly use its fruits, while leaves and flowers are not commonly used, although they present high amounts of phenolic acids, anthocyanin and flavonoids [45]. Kouka and colleagues [46] analyzed an olive blossom extract (containing among its components oleuropein and rutin) showing its non-genotoxicity using the Ames test (up to 32 mg per plate, on the Salmonella Typhimurium strain TA102).…”

Anticancer and Antioxidant Activities of the Root Extract of the Carnivorous Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea

“…Several adverse effects associated with modern chemotherapy hinder cancer treatment and lead to other critical disorders. Therefore, natural compounds as potential anticancer agents are also used and studied in many cancer models, both in vitro and in vivo [11][12][13][14]. Plant-based medicines have been employed in clinical practices and have yielded good results without causing significant adverse effects [15].…”