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ScienceDaily
sciencedaily.com › releases › 2005 › 09 › 050906075427.htm
Olive Oil Contains Natural Anti-inflammatory Agent | ScienceDaily
September 17, 2026 - A naturally occurring chemical ... Chemical Senses Center and collaborators. Named oleocanthal by the researchers, the compound inhibits activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, a pharmacological action shared by ...
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Big Horn Olive Oil
bhooc.com › blogs › articles › olive-oil-fights-inflammation-molecular-level
How Olive Oil Fights Inflammation at the Molecular Level – Big Horn Olive Oil
January 4, 2026 - Lisa Parkinson from Deakin University's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences notes, "Oleocanthal not only mimics the mode of ibuprofen inflammatory activity, but inhibits COX 1 and COX 2 enzymes significantly more at equimolar concentrations".
Discussions

Why are COX2 inhibitors bad.
tl;dr: We still have a poor understanding of differential COX-2 expression across various tissues, meaning it has unpredictable effects. Further research is needed. COX-2 specific inhibitors (e.g., roceficoxib, celecoxib) have been under a lot of scrutiny recently because of the associated coronary vasospasm with COX-2 inhibition. You probably learned that COX-1 is constitutive whereas COX-2 is inducible (i.e., COX-2 ramps up especially as an inflammatory response whereas COX-1 is always present low level), but more recent evidence suggests that COX-2 may be constitutive in endothelial cells and the downstream prostacycline effects inhibit platelet aggregation. COX-1/2 inhibitors (e.g., ketorolac, ibuprofen, naproxen) in theory do actually have the same effect, but the key difference is the doses at which they are administered. Celecoxib has a nearly 20:1 preference for COX-2 inhibition over COX-1, whereas ibuprofen is closer to 1:1. Rodent studies have shown chronically giving very high doses of aspirin will also cause coronary vasospasm, in addition to all the bad effects of high level COX-1 inhibition. I was a cardiology grand rounds recently on the topic of COX-2 usage where the presenter talked about COX-2 inhibitor usage. The fundamental point of the talk was that growing evidence suggests we should be identifying cardiac risk factors in patients before perscribing COX-2 inhibitors, because in the abscence of moderate or severe cardiac risk factors use of COX-2 inhibitors doesn't impose significant risk. That being said, the patients who need COX-2 inhibitors are going to be typically older males who will have multiple cardiac risk factors. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/askscience
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March 30, 2013
COX-2 drugs.
It's just not good for us to take for prolonged periods of time. I will take tylenol every now and then. If you're taking more than 10 a day for a month or two you might want to cut back. But at the same time of you're having pain somewhere it's likely to cause a flare up of the crohn's. I like to think of it as a balancing act. I mean they aren't great for crohn's but what is? They don't want us on pain killers or nsaids and they don't have any other real options so I just try to do the best I can without going insane from pain. Sry if that went back and forth in very high right now lol. I hope it helps a little bit. And I hope you get some relief soon. I'm all to familiar with back pain and it's a bitch. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/CrohnsDisease
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4
March 9, 2024
COX-1 vs COX-2?
Also, COX-1 is constitutively active and relative common in tissues; COX-2 tends to be inducible and active in inflammation/when induced. COX-1 is important for TXA2 synthesis in platelets, COX-2 for PGE2 synthesis in endothelial cells. An example for why it matters: Selective COX-2 inhibitors put the patient at risk due to unopposed COX-1 activity (increased TXA2). That's very brief (and I'm sure there's more if you dig for it). But all I could come up with off the top of my head as I sit on the toilet. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/step1
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October 3, 2018
Any mild COX-2 inhibitors?
You mean coxblockers? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/NootropicsDepot
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March 16, 2021
People also ask

How does oleocanthal in olive oil work to reduce inflammation, and how does it compare to ibuprofen?

Extra virgin olive oil contains a natural compound called oleocanthal, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. It works by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, much like ibuprofen does. This means olive oil can offer similar anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a natural and nutritious way to support your body’s response to inflammation.

Adding high-quality olive oil, such as Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to your meals not only enhances their flavor but also ensures you’re reaping the full health benefits of its active compounds like oleocanthal. Opting for fresh, top-tier olive oil is key to maximizing these advantages.

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bhooc.com
bhooc.com › blogs › articles › olive-oil-fights-inflammation-molecular-level
How Olive Oil Fights Inflammation at the Molecular Level – Big ...
How should I store extra virgin olive oil to preserve its anti-inflammatory benefits?

To keep extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) fresh and preserve its beneficial compounds like oleocanthal and oleacein, proper storage is crucial. The main culprits that can degrade EVOO are heat, light, and oxygen. To protect your oil, store it in a cool, dark spot - like a pantry or cupboard - away from heat sources such as stoves or ovens. Ideally, keep the temperature steady between 60–70°F.

Choose containers made from dark-tinted glass, stainless steel, or other opaque materials to shield the oil from light. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed to minimize air exposure. For everyday use, transfer a small amount into a smaller container that you can finish within a few weeks, and reseal the main bottle promptly after each use. If you plan to store the oil for several months, refrigeration is an option. Just remember to let it return to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation.

By taking these steps, you’ll help maintain the health-boosting polyphenols in Big Horn Olive Oil, ensuring it retains its anti-inflammatory properties with every use.

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bhooc.com
bhooc.com › blogs › articles › olive-oil-fights-inflammation-molecular-level
How Olive Oil Fights Inflammation at the Molecular Level – Big ...
Is oleocanthal covered by the EFSA olive oil health claim?
The EU 432/2012 health claim is anchored specifically to hydroxytyrosol and derivatives at a threshold of 5 mg per 20 g of oil. Oleocanthal itself is not the named compound, but in practice it correlates strongly with the hydroxytyrosol family because they share precursors and pathways.
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highphenolic.com
highphenolic.com › home › blog › oleocanthal in olive oil
Oleocanthal in Olive Oil: Benefits, Mechanism, and How to Find ...
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ResearchGate
researchgate.net › figure › Relative-inhibition-of-the-COX-1-and-COX-2-enzymes-by-olive-derived-compounds-The_fig2_382601008
Relative inhibition (%) of the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes by olive-derived... | Download Scientific Diagram
In a landmark study, oleocanthal (OLC), a major phenolic in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity similar to ibuprofen, involving inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes.
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Oleaphen
highphenolic.com › home › blog › oleocanthal in olive oil
Oleocanthal in Olive Oil: Benefits, Mechanism, and How to Find the Highest Concentration
June 17, 2026 - Oleocanthal is a phenolic compound in extra virgin olive oil that inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes through the same pathway as ibuprofen (Beauchamp et al., Nature, 2005). It does not exist in the olive fruit itself.
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Hermetica Superfoods
hermeticasuperfoods.com › blogs › encyclopedia › olive-oil
Olive Oil: Benefits, Dosage & Science | Hermetica
Olive oil's oleocanthal inhibits COX-1/COX-2 like ibuprofen while hydroxytyrosol activates Nrf2—cutting cardiovascular risk by ~30% (PREDIMED trial).
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Inflamous
inflamous.com › blog › is-olive-oil-anti-inflammatory
Is Olive Oil Anti-Inflammatory? The Science on Oleocanthal and Polyphenols | Inflamous Blog
March 19, 2026 - Extra virgin olive oil is anti-inflammatory through multiple distinct mechanisms, principally oleocanthal's direct COX inhibition and its polyphenols' suppression of NF-kB.
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Medium
medium.com › @Nutrisphere › oleocanthal-the-natural-ibuprofen-found-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil-979598b24cc7
OLEOCANTHAL: THE NATURAL IBUPROFEN FOUND IN EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL | by Juan Girones Fraile | Medium
February 25, 2017 - Oleocanthal is not only involved in helping to control inflammation, but it appears to have anti-cancer properties associated with its ability to inhibit COX-2. ... Parkinson, L. & Keast, R. (2014).
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MDPI
mdpi.com › 1420-3049 › 29 › 15 › 3502
Investigation of the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Olea europaea: In Silico Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase Enzyme Inhibition and Pharmacokinetic Profiling
July 26, 2024 - Oleic acid (OA) is the main ... in smaller quantities (Figure 1D) [30,31]. SC560 and celecoxib were used as positive control inhibitors for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively....
Find elsewhere
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ResearchGate
researchgate.net › publication › 7625299_Ibuprofen-like_activity_in_extra-virgin_olive_oil
(PDF) Ibuprofen-like activity in extra-virgin olive oil
October 1, 2005 - Enzymes in an inflammation pathway are inhibited by oleocanthal, a component of olive oil. ... Gary K. Beauchamp*, Russell S. J. Keast*†, ... Qiang Han||, Chi-Ho Lee*†, Amos B. Smith*||, Paul A. S. Breslin* ... Percentage inhibition of ...
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Pomoni
pomoni.com › home › research › olive oil for joint pain and stiffness: what the research shows
Olive Oil for Joint Pain and Stiffness: What the Research Shows
3 weeks ago - Oleocanthal inhibits the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, the same enzymes that ibuprofen blocks. The finding came from a sensory observation. Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center noticed that fresh extra virgin olive oil ...
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EXAU Olive Oil
exauoliveoil.com › blogs › olive-oil › oleocanthal
Oleocanthal in Olive Oil: The Compound That Works Like Ibuprofen – EXAU Olive Oil
March 13, 2026 - Research shows that at the same concentration, oleocanthal inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 more effectively than ibuprofen. At 25 micromolar, oleocanthal inhibits COX activity by 41 to 57%, while ibuprofen at the same concentration inhibits it by only ...
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Medscape
medscape.com › news › medscape medical news
Olive oil antiinflammatory effects
March 11, 2009 - The investigators then set out ... activity. In fact, newly pressed extra-virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, both enantiomers of which cause dose-dependent inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2, but not of lipoxyg...
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Penn Today
penntoday.upenn.edu › news › olive-oil-contains-anti-inflammatory-agent-throaty-sting-provides-clues-benefits-mediterranean-
Olive Oil Contains Anti-inflammatory Agent; Throaty Sting Provides Clues to Benefits of Mediterranean Diet | Penn Today
November 21, 2016 - PHILADELPHIA -- A naturally occurring ... and Firmenich Inc. Named oleocanthal by the researchers, the compound inhibits activity of cyclooxygenase, or COX, enzymes, a pharmacological action shared by ibuprofen....
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PubMed Central
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC11314539
Investigation of the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Olea europaea: In Silico Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase Enzyme Inhibition and Pharmacokinetic Profiling - PMC
Oleocanthal (OLC) is a phenolic ... the phenolic compounds (A) OLC, (B) OLE, and (C) OLP, as well as the fatty acid (D) LA. OLC is a known inhibitor of the COX-1 and COX-2 ......
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Olive Wellness Institute
olivewellnessinstitute.org › home › articles › oleocanthal – a phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory action
Oleocanthal – A Phenolic Compound with Anti-inflammatory Action | Olive Wellness Institute
August 24, 2020 - In vitro evidence has shown some promising results relating to phenolic compounds in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and their ability to inhibit the initiation of metastases of several types of cancer.1 The COX-2 enzyme has been implicated in the ...
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Klenz
klenz.app › blog › is-olive-oil-anti-inflammatory-key-compounds-explained
Is Olive Oil Anti-Inflammatory? Key Compounds Explained — Klenz Blog
1 month ago - The star player here is a polyphenol called oleocanthal, a compound that mimics the mechanism of common anti-inflammatory medications by inhibiting the same enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) responsible for pain and swelling.
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EXAU Olive Oil
exauoliveoil.com › blogs › olive-oil › is-olive-oil-anti-inflammatory
Is Olive Oil Anti-Inflammatory? What the Science Actually Says – EXAU Olive Oil
March 22, 2026 - It is the same sensation you get from taking ibuprofen. Read more about oleocanthal here. In 2005, a study in the journal Nature found that oleocanthal blocks the same enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that ibuprofen does.
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Olive Wellness Institute
olivewellnessinstitute.org › home › articles › the potential of olive products to reduce inflammation
The Potential of Olive Products to Reduce Inflammation | Olive Wellness Institute
September 11, 2019 - In-vitro experiments have shown that oleocanthal actually inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2) which are enzymes involved in making inflammatory prostaglandins[xiv]. The COX-2 enzyme is upstream of many inflammatory conditions, ...