Oleanolic Acid and Related Triterpenoids from Olives on Vascular Function: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives

Oleanolic acid and related triterpenoids from olives modulate different signaling pathways, showing a wide range of pharmacological activities against inflammation, cancer or cardiovascular diseases. In particular, emerging evidences reveal the potential of oleanolic acid to restore vascular disorders associated to cardiovascular risk factors, i.e. hypertension, obesity and diabetes, and atherosclerosis. During the previous years, in vitro and in vivo studies with these triterpenoids have positioned them as being mainly responsible for cardiovascular risk protection traditionally associated to olive oil. This review updates recent investigations in olive oil triterpenoids function related to cardiovascular diseases, as well as the underlying mechanisms and structural implications. Important aspects of olive oil triterpenoids such as bioavailability and clinical perspectives on cardiovascular disorder are also extensively analyzed. All these investigations evidence the potential of triterpenoids from olive oil as a promising therapeutic strategy against vascular function, thus efficiently preventing the progression of cardiovascular diseases.