It is not just for martinis any more. The humble olive may provide powerful protection against colon cancer, according to a joint study conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Granada and the University of Barcelona.

Maslinic acid is what is called a triterpenoid compound, and it is found naturally on olive skin pomace. The researchers isolated the compound and then tested its effects on colon cancer cells. They discovered that is was capable of producing a significant inhibition in the rate of cancer cell growth as well as apoptosis,which is  in other words the  programmed death, of human colon cancer cells known as HT29.

Even though the studies concentrated on the effects of the compound on the growth and lifespan of colon cancer cells the scientists involved in the studies believe that their results could be transfered to other forms of cancer as well.

The joint study was the first to specifically investigate the actual molecular mechanisms that give Maslinic acid its cancer fighting properties. There have been other studies done in recent years that have shown that a number of triterpenoid compounds demonstrate some of these cancer fighting properties, but this particular study focused solely on the properties of Maslinic acid.

Maslinic acid is actually found in a number of plants to a certain extent but the concentration found in olives is believed to be as high as 80%.

In describing the results of their joint study in an article published in January of 2009 the teams of Reyes-Zurita, Rufino-Palomares, Lupianez, and Cascante wrote:

“Treatment with maslinic acid results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and causes apoptotic death in colon-cancer cells. We found that it inhibits considerably the expression of Bcl-2 whilst increasing that of Bax; it also stimulates the release of mitochondrial cytochrome-c and activates caspase-9 and caspase-3. All these results point clearly to the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in response to the treatment of HT29 colon-cancer cells with maslinic acid.”

The hope of many cancer researchers is that in the future maslinic acid can be incorporated into the treatment of colon cancer in some form or another.

Olives are predominant in the diet of those who live in a number of Mediterranean countries and have long been considered particularly healthful. They have a high concentration of Vitamins A and E as well as a number of B vitamins. They are also rich in zinc, copper and iron. This study may just be another reason to add them to one’s daily diet.