Safety and Efficacy of an Olive Oil-Derived Nutraceutical in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Patient-Derived Organoids: A Sustainable Approach to Precision Medicine

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with complex pathogenesis involving genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune-related factors. Current pharmacological treatments, though effective for some patients, are often associated with limited long-term efficacy and significant side effects. In this context, patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have emerged as advanced 3D in vitro models that replicate the architecture, cellular diversity, and inflammatory profiles of native intestinal tissue. These models offer a powerful platform for personalized medicine and drug screening.

In this study, intestinal organoids were established from biopsies of IBD patients and healthy controls. The IBD-derived organoids retained key pathological features of the disease, including elevated expression of inflammatory markers such as IL-8 and CLDN-1, as well as increased cytokine secretion, confirming their relevance as disease models. These PDOs were then used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a natural compound derived from extra virgin olive oil, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

We further evaluated a natural compound derived from extra virgin olive oil rich in stable ozonides for its anti-inflammatory potential. Using a luciferase-based NF-κB reporter system in both 2D cell lines and 3D organoids, we demonstrated that this natural compound significantly attenuates TNFα-induced NF-κB activation. Importantly, this formulation exhibited minimal cytotoxicity at therapeutic concentrations and preserved viability in cell and organoid cultures after MTT assays.

These findings highlight the utility of PDOs as a physiologically relevant model for studying IBD pathogenesis and therapeutic response. Moreover, the olive oil-derived compound emerges as a promising, safe, and sustainable alternative or adjunct to conventional IBD therapies. This work supports the integration of organoid technology with nutraceutical research to advance personalized and less toxic treatment strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases.