Chapter 3

Olive Leaf: A Traditional Phytomedicine for Diabetes and Hypertension

José Luis Ríos, Isabel Andújar, Luisa González-Arbeláez, Guillermo R. Schinella and Flavio Francini

Abstract

Olive leaves are used in Mediterranean folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia since ancient times. In the last decade, different authors have studied their chemical composition and ratified their pharmacological properties both in vitro and in vivo, and, more recently, clinical trials focusing on their effects on diabetes and hypertension have been developed. Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol seem to emerge as promising bioactive phenolics responsible for these beneficial effects. In this chapter, information about recent studies on the olive leaf is compiled, including its effects on the specific subject of this chapter, but also its other potential pharmacological effects.

Total Pages: 79-99 (21)

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