Comprehensive Review of Olea europaea: A Holistic Exploration into Its Botanical Marvels, Phytochemical Riches, Therapeutic Potentials, and Safety Profile

Abstract

Human health is now inextricably linked to lifestyle choices, which can either protect or predispose people to serious illnesses. The Mediterranean diet, characterized by the consumption of various medicinal plants and their byproducts, plays a significant role in protecting against ailments such as oxidative stress, cancer, and diabetes. To uncover the secrets of this natural treasure, this review seeks to consolidate diverse data concerning the pharmacology, toxicology, phytochemistry, and botany of <i>Olea europaea</i> L. (<i>O. europaea</i>). Its aim is to explore the potential therapeutic applications and propose avenues for future research. Through web literature searches (using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), all information currently available on <i>O. europaea</i> was acquired. Worldwide, ethnomedical usage of <i>O. europaea</i> has been reported, indicating its effectiveness in treating a range of illnesses. Phytochemical studies have identified a range of compounds, including flavanones, iridoids, secoiridoids, flavonoids, triterpenes, biophenols, benzoic acid derivatives, among others. These components exhibit diverse pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and wound-healing properties. <i>O. europaea</i> serves as a valuable source of conventional medicine for treating various conditions. The findings from pharmacological and phytochemical investigations presented in this review enhance our understanding of its therapeutic potential and support its potential future use in modern medicine.