Home Ingredients Bonolive® (Olive Leaf Oleuropein — BioActor)
Joint Health

Bonolive® (Olive Leaf Oleuropein — BioActor)

Olea europaea
Evidence Level
Preliminary
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

Bonolive® is a standardized olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract from BioActor, concentrated for oleuropein, the main polyphenol in olive leaves. Its one published trial tested it for knee joint comfort in older adults with joint pain. That trial did not beat placebo on its main measure, and it did not measure bone density or any other bone outcome, so bone claims for this brand are not backed by the study cited here.

Studied Dose The published trial used Bonolive standardized to 50 mg of oleuropein per 125 mg of extract. Product labels commonly list about 250 mg per day.
Active Compound Olive leaf extract standardized to a high content of oleuropein, an antioxidant secoiridoid polyphenol.

Benefits

Bone health (not measured in the trial)

The single published trial of this branded extract did not measure bone density, bone formation, or any other bone outcome, so there is no clinical evidence here for bone benefits. Bone-turnover related markers were only secondary measures and did not change more than placebo.

Supported by Trial 1

Joint function

In a multicentre randomized placebo-controlled trial in older people with knee joint pain, the oleuropein supplement did not do better than placebo after 6 months on the main measure (the overall KOOS knee score) or on inflammation and cartilage markers. A later unplanned (post hoc) look at the subgroup who started with high walking pain found a difference in that group only. Post hoc subgroup findings need to be confirmed in a trial designed to test them.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant support

Oleuropein is an antioxidant polyphenol in laboratory testing. In the human trial cited here, inflammatory and cartilage remodeling markers did not change more than placebo, so this stays a proposed mechanism rather than a demonstrated effect in people.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Osteoblast support

Effects on bone-building cells are a proposed laboratory mechanism, not something shown in people taking this product. The trial cited on this page did not measure bone formation or bone loss at all.

2

Anti-inflammatory polyphenol

Oleuropein is proposed to lower inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress. In the human trial, inflammatory and cartilage remodeling markers did not improve more than placebo, so this mechanism has not been confirmed in people.

Clinical trials

1
Oleuropein Supplement and Knee Joint Function: Main Endpoint Not Met
PubMed

Multicentre randomized, placebo-controlled trial of an olive leaf extract standardized to oleuropein, run for 6 months. (Horcajada et al. 2022, Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease)

Older people with knee joint pain. Results describe what happened in people who already had knee pain, not what the product does for a healthy person.

The trial did not meet its main goal. After 6 months the supplement was no better than placebo on the overall KOOS knee score or on inflammatory and cartilage remodeling markers. An unplanned post hoc analysis found a significant effect only in the subgroup who began the study with high walking pain (p = 0.03). The authors concluded the extract 'was not effective on joint discomfort excepted in a sub-group of subjects with high pain at treatment initiation'.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated in the published trial; long-term safety beyond 6 months has not been studied.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Those allergic to olive should avoid it.

Important Drug interactions

Blood pressure medication: olive leaf may add to a blood pressure lowering effect, so ask your doctor and monitor your readings.
Diabetes medication: olive leaf may affect blood sugar, so check your levels and talk with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you take medication for bone density.

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Frequently asked questions about Bonolive® (Olive Leaf Oleuropein — BioActor)

What is Bonolive?

Bonolive® is a standardized olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract from BioActor, concentrated for oleuropein, the main polyphenol in olive leaves. Its one published trial tested it for knee joint comfort in older adults with joint pain.

What is Bonolive used for?

Bonolive is researched primarily for Joint Health. The single published trial of this branded extract did not measure bone density, bone formation, or any other bone outcome, so there is no clinical evidence here for bone benefits.

What is the recommended dosage of Bonolive?

The clinically studied dose is The published trial used Bonolive standardized to 50 mg of oleuropein per 125 mg of extract. Product labels commonly list about 250 mg per day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Bonolive safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Bonolive is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated in the published trial; long-term safety beyond 6 months has not been studied. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Bonolive is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Bonolive interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Blood pressure medication: olive leaf may add to a blood pressure lowering effect, so ask your doctor and monitor your readings. Diabetes medication: olive leaf may affect blood sugar, so check your levels and talk with your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Bonolive?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Bonolive as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Horcajada MN, Beaumont M, Sauvageot N, et al. An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2022;14:1759720X211070205..PubMedUsed to support: Randomized placebo-controlled trial that did not meet its primary endpoint. The only positive result was a post hoc subgroup with high walking pain at baseline; no bone outcome was measured.