Biosafety and Protective Effects of Tyrosol from Olea europaea L. in Gingivitis: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate tyrosol’s biosafety in cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and acute toxicity studies in an experimental gingivitis model. Material and Methods: Tyrosol was extracted from a freeze-dried and ultra-processed extract of olive oil (Olea europaea L.). Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH˙ radical scavenging method. Genotoxicity and mutagenicity were examined using ten mice divided into three groups: Group 1 received a solution containing 2,000 mg/kg of tyrosol; Group 2 (negative control) received distilled water, and Group 3 (positive control) received cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally. Antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also evaluated. Statistical analysis employed the Student t-test and ANOVA (p<0.05). Results: DPPH radical scavenging activity was evident at all tested concentrations. Over 14 days, tyrosol caused no deaths, toxicity, or adverse effects, with weight gain in all animals. Tyrosol was found to be safe in the toxicity tests. Histologically, the animals treated with 30 mg/kg of tyrosol decreased inflammatory infiltrate, and their tissue repair was similar to the control group. Moreover, compared to the positive control, there was an increase in CAT and SOD in the tyrosol gingivitis treatment groups. Conclusion: Tyrosol is safe, not genotoxic, and mildly mutagenic at high doses. Additionally, tyrosol reduces gingivitis through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and the weight gain of animals treated with the compound, indicating tyrosol’s therapeutic potential.