Olive Oil as a Potential Source of Anticancer Phytochemicals: In Vitro and Preclinical Evaluation of Active Ingredients and Their Synergism with Conventional Treatments
8 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- 2Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Biotechnology, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq
- 3Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- 4Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21589, Saudi Arabia
- 5Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Science, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- 6Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Inti International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
- 7Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- 8Institute of Basics of Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, Hungary
Abstract
Cancer is a widespread disease and a leading cause of death worldwide. This has increased interest in foods that contribute to lowering its incidence. Olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean diet and contains numerous bioactive compounds, including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal, squalene, sterols, tyrosol, and oleacein, which possess various properties and benefits. This review examines the potential of these compounds as anticancer agents and their ability to manage various types of cancer. Chemical structure, mechanisms of action, and potential to work in combination with conventional treatments were discussed for each compound. Studies discussed in this review show promising anticancer effects of olive oil compounds with high potential to augment conventional treatments through the anticipated anticancer effect of the Mediterranean diet with olive oil. This review focused on in vitro and preclinical studies of using olive oil phytochemicals in cancer research. However, further clinical and experimental studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage of olive oil and better confirm its therapeutic efficacy.
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BibTeX
@article{talib2026olive,
title = {{Olive Oil as a Potential Source of Anticancer Phytochemicals: In Vitro and Preclinical Evaluation of Active Ingredients and Their Synergism with Conventional Treatments}},
author = {Wamidh H. Talib and Intisar Hadi Al-Yasari and Jomana Alqannas and Shahd Mismar and Doaa Anbarserry and Wafa` A. Ahmad and Douglas Law and Ahmad Riyad Alsayed and Bence Raposa},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18213466},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3466},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Olive Oil as a Potential Source of Anticancer Phytochemicals: In Vitro and Preclinical Evaluation of Active Ingredients and Their Synergism with Conventional Treatments
AU - Wamidh H. Talib
AU - Intisar Hadi Al-Yasari
AU - Jomana Alqannas
AU - Shahd Mismar
AU - Doaa Anbarserry
AU - Wafa` A. Ahmad
AU - Douglas Law
AU - Ahmad Riyad Alsayed
AU - Bence Raposa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18213466
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3466
AB - Cancer is a widespread disease and a leading cause of death worldwide. This has increased interest in foods that contribute to lowering its incidence. Olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean diet and contains numerous bioactive compounds, including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal, squalene, sterols, tyrosol, and oleacein, which possess various properties and benefits. This review examines the potential of these compounds as anticancer agents and their ability to manage various types of cancer. Chemical structure, mechanisms of action, and potential to work in combination with conventional treatments were discussed for each compound. Studies discussed in this review show promising anticancer effects of olive oil compounds with high potential to augment conventional treatments through the anticipated anticancer effect of the Mediterranean diet with olive oil. This review focused on in vitro and preclinical studies of using olive oil phytochemicals in cancer research. However, further clinical and experimental studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage of olive oil and better confirm its therapeutic efficacy.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -