Tyrosol is anorganic compound with the formulaHOC6H4CH2CH2OH. Classified as aphenylethanoid, a derivative ofphenethyl alcohol, it is found in a variety of natural sources. The compound is colorless solid. The principal source in the human diet isolive oil.[1][2]
As anantioxidant, tyrosol may protect cells against injury due to oxidationin vitro.[3] Although it is not as potent as other antioxidants present in olive oil (e.g.,hydroxytyrosol), its higher concentration and goodbioavailability indicate that it may have an important overall effect.[4]
Tyrosol may also be cardioprotective. Tyrosol-treated animals showed significant increase in the phosphorylation ofAkt,eNOS, andFOXO3a.[5] In addition, tyrosol also induced the expression of the proteinSIRT1 in the heart aftermyocardial infarction (MI) in a rat MI model.[6]
Tyrosol forms esters with a variety of organic acids.[7] For example,oleocanthal is theelenolic acid ester of tyrosol.
^Lucas, Ricardo; Comelles, Francisco; AlcáNtara, David; Maldonado, Olivia S.; Curcuroze, Melanie; Parra, Jose L.; Morales, Juan C. (2010). "Surface-Active Properties of Lipophilic Antioxidants Tyrosol and Hydroxytyrosol Fatty Acid Esters: A Potential Explanation for the Nonlinear Hypothesis of the Antioxidant Activity in Oil-in-Water Emulsions".Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.58 (13):8021–8026.doi:10.1021/jf1009928.PMID20524658.
