Natural olive compound linked to potential diabetes and weight management

01 Jul 2024 --- New research findings presented at the ongoing Nutrition 2024 annual meeting from the American Society for Nutrition suggest that a natural compound found in olives can lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. The researchers note that the discovery could help develop safe and inexpensive natural products to manage obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

After one week of supplementation with oral elenolic acid from olives, obese mice with diabetes weighed “significantly less.” They also showed better blood glucose regulation than before treatment and compared to obese mice who did not receive the compound. 

According to the researchers, the glucose-lowering effect was better than metformin — one of the most common oral medicines for type 2 diabetes — and similar to injectable diabetic medication liraglutide. 

“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,” says Dr. Dongmin Liu, research team leader and professor in the department of human nutrition, foods and exercise at Virginia Tech, US. 

“Available obesity drugs are ineffective in weight loss maintenance, expensive 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.”

Natural diabetes management 
The researchers focused on identifying bioactive compounds from natural products, focusing on compounds that act on L-cells, which contain two metabolic hormones released during a meal — peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These hormones promote satiety, prevent overeating and control blood sugar levels and metabolism. 

In a screening process, the team found that elenolic acid, found in mature olives and extra virgin olive oil, can induce the release of these hormones in the gut. Elenolic acid significantly reduced food intake and promoted weight loss, associated with a higher circulation of PYY and GLP-1 and the downregulation of agouti-related peptides in the hypothalamus. The researchers explain that these peptides increase eating 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,” comments Liu. “The compound seems to mimic the physiological conditions of eating to directly promote gut metabolic hormone secretion, which helps regulate energy balance and metabolic health.”

The researchers warn that elenolic acid’s benefits may not be gained from olives and olive oil alone as the concentration is low.Compared to obese control mice, the mice with diabetes who received the supplement experienced significant improvements in their metabolic health. After five to four weeks of treatment, they showed a 10.7% reduction in obesity and comparable blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity as healthy, lean mice. 

Next steps 
The study concludes that the compound could be a “novel therapeutic agent for treating both obesity and type 2 diabetes.” Elenolic acid also directly suppressed glucose production in liver cells and reversed diet-induced hyperglycemia and weight gain. 

However, as the concentration of elenolic acid in olive oil or olives is very low, the researchers warn that the benefits seen in the study would likely not be gained from olive products alone. 

They made the acid by breaking down its precursor, oleuropein, which is less expensive than extracting it directly from olives. 

Currently, the team is working to understand how the compound creates metabolic benefits by analyzing its journey through the body. The researchers aim to determine how elenolic acid is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted, which will likely reveal insights into its safety for future clinical trials. 

Alternatives to diabetes drugs 
Popular diabetes and anti-obesity medication on the US market also increase GLP-1 levels to lower weight and help manage blood glucose levels. Meanwhile, companies and consumers are looking for natural alternatives to these medications. 

For example, Ingredients by Nature touts the potential of its patented citrus flavonoid blend to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, GLP-1 levels and prediabetic gut microbiota.

Last month, Beneo revealed a new study showing that its Palatinose (isomaltulose) stimulates GLP-1 release in overweight adults, leading to improved body weight, blood glucose and cardiovascular function. 

By Jolanda van Hal