The common privet is among the most grown plants in Eurasia, and is also common in the US. Their leaves have long been known for medicinal properties, with a few isolated Southern European areas using them for their anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, diuretic, and hypotensive effects.
Previous studies have found that leaves from the private tree contain small amounts of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, oleocanthal and oleacein, which are thought to account for many of the health-related benefits of the Mediterranean diet. In the current study, researchers hypothesized that more favorable extraction conditions could result in higher yields of both compounds.
“The results we obtained not only confirmed the previously reported presence of oleocanthal and oleacein in the leaves of the common privet (L. vulgare) but also demonstrated that, with an adapted treatment, the leaf extracts can serve as an excellent alternative source of both oleocanthal and oleacein, the latter being the more difficult of the two to obtain in large quantities,” wrote the researchers in their study.
The researchers further found that differences among privet species had a stronger influence on oleocanthal and oleacein extraction rates than seasonal collection time or leaf-developmental stage, but that this will need to be confirmed through further study.
Owing to their wide geographical presence and low cost, privet trees may serve as a potential alternative to olive trees as a source of oleocanthal and oleacein.
“This new study is part of the continuing story of Monell’s focus on a deeper understanding of the pharmacology of oleocanthal, with the ultimate goal of enhancing human health,” said first author of the study, Catherine Peyrot des Gachons, PhD, Senior Research Associate at Monell Chemical Senses Center in a press release.
Sources: EurekAlert, International Journal of Molecular Sciences
