Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-03-26 Origin: Site
Oleuropein, a natural phenylethanoid glycoside widely found in Oleaceae plants, possesses various biological properties due to its unique chemical structure. This paper focuses on exploring the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and application prospects of this compound in the field of functional materials, providing a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of plant secondary metabolites.
Chemical Properties and Extraction Processes
The molecular structure of oleuropein consists of hydroxytyrosol and a glucosyl group connected by a β-glycosidic bond, and an ester bond formed with methyl-esterified o-diphenol This special structure gives it pH sensitivity, making it susceptible to hydrolysis under alkaline conditions. Modern extraction processes employ supercritical CO2 extraction combined with molecular distillation technology, yielding standards with purity above 95%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirm the presence of characteristic phenolic hydroxyl (3200-3500 cm-1) and ester carbonyl (1740 cm-1) absorption peaks in its structure.
Biological Activity Research
Antioxidant Mechanism
In vitro experiments show that oleuropein has an IC50 value of 18.3 ± 1.2 μM in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, which is significantly better than that of vitamin E (IC50 = 45.6 ± 2.8 μM). Its antioxidant mechanism involves the following pathways: (1) direct hydrogen donation by phenolic hydroxyl groups to terminate free radical chain reactions; (2) activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, inducing the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); (3) chelation of transition metal ions to inhibit the Fenton reaction.
Anti-inflammatory Effect
A RAW264.7 macrophage model study showed that 100 μM oleuropein can reduce the secretion of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α by 62.3 ± 5.8%. Mechanistic studies have found that it downregulates COX-2 and iNOS gene expression by inhibiting NF-κB nuclear translocation, while also promoting the secretion of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. Notably, this regulatory effect exhibits dose-dependent characteristics.
Exploration of Application Areas
Food Preservation Materials
Adding 0.5% oleuropein to polyethylene films can extend the shelf life of strawberries by 3-5 days. Scanning electron microscopy observation shows that this composite film can effectively inhibit the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea, with a spore germination rate reduced to 27% of the control group.
Functional Textiles
Cotton fibers modified with oleuropein exhibit an antibacterial rate of 89.4 ± 3.2% against Staphylococcus aureus. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis shows that phenolic hydroxyl groups form hydrogen bonds with cellulose hydroxyl groups, endowing the material with lasting antibacterial properties. It still maintains 78% antibacterial activity after 50 standard washes.
Conclusion
Current research reveals the unique value of oleuropein in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and material modification, but its mechanism of action still needs to be explored in depth at the levels of epigenetic regulation and metabolomics. Future research can focus on the construction of its nanodelivery systems and the synergistic effects with other bioactive substances, providing new ideas for the development of environmentally friendly functional materials.
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Cádiz-Gurrea ML, et al. Polymers 2020;12(4):834
