Natural compound found in olives shown to lower blood sugar and aid weight loss, mouse study shows
A novel study conducted using mice models has highlighted the potential of elenolic acid, a natural compound extracted from olives, in mitigating obesity and type 2 diabetes. This groundbreaking research suggests that elenolic acid could serve as a basis for the development of affordable, safe natural products aimed at managing these prevalent health issues.
In a series of experiments, diabetic mice with obesity administered with elenolic acid orally displayed a significant reduction in body weight and enhanced glucose regulation within just one week. These results were noteworthy when compared to a control group of mice with obesity that did not receive the treatment. Remarkably, the glucose-lowering impact of elenolic acid was on par with liraglutide, an injectable diabetes medication, and surpassed the effectiveness of metformin, a commonly used oral diabetes drug.
Professor Dongmin Liu, the lead researcher and a professor at the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech, explained the motivation behind their focus on natural compounds. “Lifestyle modifications and public health measures have had limited impact on the rising prevalence of obesity, one of the top risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Available obesity drugs are ineffective in weight loss maintenance, expensive and/or carry potential long-term safety risks. Our goal was to develop safer, cheaper and more convenient multi-targeting agents that can prevent the occurrence of metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes,” stated Liu.
The research findings will be presented by Dr. Hana Alkhalidy, a scientist in Liu’s laboratory, at NUTRITION 2024, the premier annual event of the American Society for Nutrition.
The team at Virginia Tech has previously investigated various natural compounds targeting molecular aspects of metabolism in critical body parts like the pancreas, muscle, fat tissues, and liver. Their latest strategy focuses on stimulating hormone secretion in the gut, a method that could indirectly improve metabolic functions due to natural products’ generally poor bioavailability.
Their screening identified that elenolic acid, found abundantly in mature olives and extra virgin olive oil, stimulates the release of metabolic hormones GLP-1 and PYY in the gut. These hormones are integral during meals, enhancing satiety and regulating blood sugar and metabolism. The researchers synthesized elenolic acid from its precursor, oleuropein, which proved to be a cost-effective method compared to direct extraction from olives.
Further testing revealed that diabetic mice with obesity treated with elenolic acid for four to five weeks showed a 10.7% reduction in obesity and exhibited glucose levels and insulin sensitivity comparable to healthy, lean mice. Additionally, the treatment significantly curbed food intake and fostered weight loss, effects associated with increased levels of PYY and GLP-1 and decreased expression of agouti-related peptide, a hypothalamic peptide that promotes overeating and weight gain when overexpressed.
“Overall, the study showed that elenolic acid from olives has promising effects on hormone release and metabolic health, particularly in obese and diabetic conditions,” Liu remarked. He noted that the compound mimics the physiological conditions of eating to enhance gut metabolic hormone secretion, thereby helping to regulate energy balance and metabolic health.
Despite these promising results, the researchers cautioned that the concentration of elenolic acid in typical olive products is quite low, implying that the health benefits observed in the study are unlikely to be replicated through consumption of olives and olive oil alone.
The research team is now focused on elucidating the metabolic pathway of elenolic acid, from its absorption to its excretion. This exploration will provide further insights into the compound’s efficacy and safety, paving the way for potential clinical trials.