The Anti-cancer Effect of Olea europaea L. Products: a Review.

Much of the existing research has focused on the use of cell culture models of disease, demonstrating Olea europaea extracts, and specific compounds within these extracts, have efficacy in a range of in vitro and in vivo cancer models. The source of Olea europaeas cytotoxicity is yet to be fully defined; however, compounds such as oleuropein and verbascoside have independent cytotoxic effects on animal models of cancer. Initial results from animal models are promising but need to be translated to a clinical setting. Treatments utilising these compounds are likely to be well tolerated and represent a promising direction for future research.