Pharmacological activity of the fraction isolated from virgin olive oil containing the sterols and triterpenic alcohols

The fraction of sterols and triterpenic dialcohols from unsaponifiable of virgin olive oil has been tested for its possible antiinflamatory activity. The topical administration of these products produced a potent antioedematous effect, in the auricular oedema induced by TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate) in experimental animals. This test has been widely used to determine the antiinflamatory action of phospholipase A, inhibitors. The measure of myeloperoxidase, marker enzyme of the accumulation of neutrophils in the inflamed tissue, demonstrated a significant reduction of the cellular infiltration produced by assayed fraction.