24 hours they returned to normal. Oleocanthal inhibits the enzymatic activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) with an IC50 value of 708 nM. Oleocanthal inhibits the growth of several breast cancer cell lines at low micromolar concentration in a dose-dependent manner. Oleocanthal treatment caused a marked downregulation of phosphorylated mTOR in metastatic breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). These results strongly indicate that mTOR inhibition is at least one of the factors of the reported anticancer and neuroprotective properties of oleocanthal. Cell apoptosis is tested by treating the lysosomal membrane with acridine orange. Acridine orange radiates a red fluorescent color at an increased concentration in a lysosome that is undamaged. Oleocanthal weakens the red fluorescent color indicating apoptosis; however, non-cancerous cells will not experience apoptosis. This is a result of lysosome membrane permeabilization promoting cancer cell death. Lysosomal membrane permeabilization is not activated by oleocanthal in non-cancerous cells. Oleocanthal has also been shown in vitro to inhibit c-met, an important tyrosine kinase receptor which is responsible for proliferation of many cell types. The same study that found these results also showed that oleocanthal had no deleterious effects on healthy control cells over a span of 48 hours, the same amount of time that it took for inhibition of c-met in MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cells are forced into cell cycle arrest during G1 phase, effectively decreasing the viability of this highly invasive cell line. Potential medical uses Although it is not being administered as a drug currently, many strategies are being studied to use oleocanthal as a small drug inhibitor of C-Met, as well a potential monoclonal antibody against hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and C-Met. See also Hydroxytyrosol Oleuropein Olive leaf References External links Article about oleocanthal and extra virgin olive oil in Scientific American Phenylethanoids Phenol antioxidants Anti-inflammatory agents Aldehydes