Curr Nutr Rep. 2026 Jun 29;15(1):57. doi: 10.1007/s13668-026-00779-9.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW: The objective is to understand the bioactive compounds present in olive as functional natural histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and epigenetic modulators. This review focusses on oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and oleanolic acid analyzing their molecular targets, signaling pathways in major non communicable diseases. By integrating evidences from studies in cell lines, animals and preclinical studies, this review aims to identify research gaps, clarify mechanistic inconsistencies and propose future translational strategies for leveraging olive bioactives in precision epigenetic therapy.
RECENT FINDINGS: Oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and oleanolic acid exhibit epigenetic regulatory potential through modulation of HDAC activity. Oleuropein has been reported to promote histone acetylation leading to tumor suppressor genes and modulation of apoptosis signaling pathways. Whereas hydroxytyrosol exerts epigenetic effects by attenuating HDAC expression and oxidative stress mediated chromatin remodeling thereby influencing inflammatory metabolic gene regulation. Oleanolic acid demonstrates HDAC inhibitory potential and modulates acetylation dependent transcriptional pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, inflammation and cancer progression. Collectively they may serve as adjunct epigenetic modulators pending further validations. This review offers insights into the potential of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and oleanolic acid as HDAC targeting agents for addressing metabolic disorders, cardiovascular protection, cancer prevention, and neurodegenerative disease therapy. These compounds also regulate glucose metabolism and glucose sensitivity, addressing metabolic disorders. They show encouraging preclinical evidence like HDAC inhibitors.
PMID:42371247 | DOI:10.1007/s13668-026-00779-9