Beneficial Effects of Tyrosol and Oleocanthal from Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Liver Health: Insights into Their Mechanisms of Action

Simple Summary Consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is associated with many beneficial effects on human health as a result of its phenolic-derived compounds. This review explores the hepatoprotective properties and mechanisms of action of tyrosol and oleocanthal from extra virgin olive oil. Both compounds demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and modulatory effects on liver metabolism that improve chronic liver diseases, such as dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and liver fibrosis, and their progression to liver cancer. Mechanistic studies have suggested that these compounds exert their hepatoprotective effects through the regulation of multiple cellular pathways, including those involved in the antioxidant response and lipid metabolism. Understanding these mechanisms may provide valuable information for the development of therapeutic agents based on their chemical structures that are useful to improve liver health and prevent liver-related disorders.Abstract The Mediterranean diet and consumption of EVOO are associated with multiple beneficial effects for human health, e.g. reduction in cardiovascular risk and mortality, improvement in the lipid profile, and the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. In EVOO, more than 30 different phenolic-derived compounds have been identified, representing one of the most promising bioactive classes in olive oil. This review explores the hepatoprotective properties of two of these compounds, tyrosol and oleocanthal, focusing on their mechanisms of action. Recent studies have shown that these compounds, which share a similar chemical structure with a hydroxyl group attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring, can potentially mitigate chronic liver diseases, such as MASLD and liver fibrosis, as well as their progression to liver cancer. Consequently, they deserve attention for future pharmacological drug development. In vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that these compounds exert these effects through the regulation of cellular pathways involved in antioxidant response, lipid metabolism, transcription factor activity, and NF-kappa B signaling. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective properties of tyrosol and oleocanthal may provide valuable information for the development of therapeutic agents based on their chemical structures capable of targeting chronic liver diseases.