OLIVE OILS AND HEALTH 200 tributed to oleocanthal. Most studies have been conducted in animal models. For example, in male Wistar rats, intraperitoneal administration of EVOO (50–200 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent analgesic effects. At 200 mg/kg, pain response in the formalin test was significantly reduced. Similar analgesic effects were observed in mice using a hot-plate test with n-hexane olive extract (400 mg/kg), while ethanolic extract showed no effect. Human studies remain limited. One multicenter trial compared St. John’s Wort oil, EVOO, and chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash with benzydamine hydrochloride for managing postoperative complications after impacted third molar extraction. Among 90 participants, no significant differences were found among treatments, suggesting that EVOO may be an effective and well-tolerated alternative. In fibromyalgia, where oxidative stress may play a role, a pilot study in Jaén (Spain) found that 50 mL/day of EVOO for three weeks significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, carbonyl proteins, and improved health-related quality of life scores (FIQ and MCS-12) compared to refined olive oil. DNA oxidative damage and zinc levels showed borderline improvements. EVOO may thus support psychological and functional health in fibromyalgia patients. Another double-blind randomised clinical trial in Iran evaluated EVOO phonophoresis in 93 female athletes with anterior knee pain. EVOO led to faster symptom relief (after just 6 sessions) compared to piroxicam gel and standard phonophoresis. Topical EVOO was also tested against diclofenac gel in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Pain reduction was significantly greater in the EVOO group, leading researchers to recommend topical use of EVOO for these patients.
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