Olive Leaf Oleuropein Shows Promise Against Mesothelioma

Author: Cancer Monthly
Published: 27 Dec 2015 - Updated: 1 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This research reports on a 2015 laboratory study by Carla Marchetti and colleagues at Italy's National Research Council (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) in Genoa. The team applied an oleuropein-enriched extract from olive leaves directly to malignant mesothelioma cells. The extract slowed the rapid growth and cell division that make this asbestos-related cancer so hard to control, leading the authors to suggest it could one day have a use in mesothelioma therapy. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This matters to patients, families and caregivers following new treatment research, many of them older adults exposed to asbestos decades ago. It is important to note that the work was done on cells in a lab, not in people, so it is an early research signal rather than a proven treatment or a reason to start taking supplements.*

At a Glance

1 - Oleuropein is the natural compound that gives olive oil its distinctive bitter taste.
2 - Chemically, oleuropein belongs to a group of plant compounds known as phenylethanoids.
3 - The extract appeared to disrupt calcium dynamics inside mesothelioma cells, reducing their ability to survive.
4 - Surviving Mesothelioma's managing editor called the find encouraging because conventional mesothelioma treatments have limited success.

Topic Definition

Oleuropein: Oleuropein is a natural plant compound, classed as a phenylethanoid, that is found in the highest concentrations in the leaves and unripe fruit of the olive tree. It gives raw olives and some olive oils their sharp, bitter taste, and it is the main active ingredient in olive leaf extract. Laboratory studies have shown that oleuropein has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and can slow the growth of some cancer cells, including malignant mesothelioma cells. It is sold as a dietary supplement, but its effects as a cancer treatment have not been confirmed in human clinical trials, so it is not an approved therapy for any cancer.

Overview

Mesothelioma researchers in Italy say they have found "antiproliferative properties" in the compound that gives olive oil its bitter taste. The discovery may help slow the spread of the aggressive asbestos cancer. Surviving Mesothelioma has just posted an article on the new research.

Carla Marchetti of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Genova and a team of Italian colleagues applied a phenylethanoid called oleuropein to mesothelioma cells in the lab.

According to a report in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, oleuropein slowed the rapid cell growth and division that make mesothelioma so deadly.

"Data suggest that our oleuropein-enriched fraction from olive leaf extract could have pharmacological application in malignant mesothelioma anticancer therapy," writes Dr. Marchetti.

"It is always encouraging when a new compound - especially one that is naturally-derived - is found to have an impact on mesothelioma since conventional treatments have limited success," says Alex Strauss, Surviving Mesothelioma's Managing Editor.

To read more about the oleuropein study and its potential impact on the future of mesothelioma treatment, see Olive Leaf Compound Could Lead to New Mesothelioma Treatment, available now on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Marchetti, C, et al, "Oleuropein-Enriched Olive Leaf Extract Affects Calcium Dynamics and Impairs Viability of Malignant Mesothelioma Cells", 2015, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

For nearly ten years, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma.

All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Has oleuropein been tested on mesothelioma patients?

Not in established clinical trials. The reported results come from laboratory studies on cancer cells, and human trials would be needed to show whether it is safe and effective for people with mesothelioma.

Is olive leaf extract safe to take during chemotherapy?

It may not be. Herbal supplements can interact with cancer drugs or change how they work, so patients should always check with their oncologist before taking olive leaf extract or any other supplement.

What are the possible side effects of olive leaf extract?

Reported side effects include stomach upset and headache. It may also lower blood pressure and blood sugar, which can be a concern for people taking medication for hypertension or diabetes.

Can eating olive oil help prevent mesothelioma?

There is no evidence that olive oil prevents mesothelioma. Avoiding asbestos exposure remains the only proven way to reduce the risk of developing this cancer.

How is olive leaf extract different from olive oil?

Olive leaf extract is made from the leaves of the olive tree and contains far more oleuropein than olive oil, which is pressed from the fruit. The two products are used very differently.

Are olive leaf supplements regulated by the FDA?

In the United States, dietary supplements do not need FDA approval before they are sold, and their strength and purity can vary between brands. Look for products with independent third-party testing.

How do lab discoveries become approved cancer treatments?

A compound must first pass cell and animal studies, then move through phased human clinical trials that test safety, dosage and effectiveness. This process often takes ten years or more.

Are other natural compounds being studied for mesothelioma?

Yes. Researchers have looked at plant-based compounds such as curcumin from turmeric and resveratrol from grapes, but none has yet been approved as a mesothelioma treatment.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Many promising cancer compounds never get past the lab, and oleuropein still faces the long road of animal studies and human clinical trials before anyone can say it helps patients. That caveat matters, because olive leaf extract is already sold widely as a dietary supplement, and an early lab result can easily be read as permission to self-treat. People living with mesothelioma, and the families looking for anything that might help, should talk with their oncologist before adding any herbal product. Supplements can interact with chemotherapy, affect blood pressure or blood sugar, and vary widely in strength from brand to brand. The real value of this work is as a lead for researchers looking for gentler, plant-based ways to slow a cancer that still has few effective options.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by Cancer Monthly and published on 27 Dec 2015. Last updated on 1 Oct 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.