In recent years, scientific research has increasingly focused on the natural compounds found in extra virgin olive oil and their health-promoting properties. Among these, the secoiridoid polyphenols stand out for their significant biological activities.

One of them is oleuropein aglycone, which has attracted attention for its potential anticancer effects.

In 2013, Belnaser and his research team, inspired by earlier findings on oleocanthal, investigated other olive oil polyphenols. They focused on breast cancer, specifically on the highly metastatic cell line MDA-MB231, a model known for its aggressiveness.

What did the researchers discover?

-Oleuropein aglycone showed a remarkable ability to inhibit the migration (spread) of breast cancer cells.
-It also displayed anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects, slowing down the growth and aggressiveness of the tumor cells.
-Overall, compounds containing the tyrosol phenolic ring in their structure exhibited the strongest anticancer actions.

Why does this matter?

Of course, these are experimental findings and cannot be directly translated into a treatment for humans. However, they highlight the potential of olive oil polyphenols as a foundation for developing new anticancer strategies.

The key takeaway is clear: extra virgin olive oil is not only a staple of the Mediterranean diet but also a natural source of compounds with exceptional scientific and medical interest.

Oleuropein aglycone is one of these “hidden treasures” that deserves continued research.


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