Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (776 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
An unsaturated fatty acid that is the most widely distributed and abundant fatty acid in nature. It is used commercially in the preparation of oleates and lotions, and as a pharmaceutical solvent. (Stedman, 26th ed)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: 9-Octadecenoic Acid; 9 Octadecenoic Acid; cis-9-Octadecenoic Acid; cis 9 Octadecenoic Acid; Oleate.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Oleic Acids
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 9,466 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Oleic Acid” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 1,494 of them (15.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 3,374 records.
Reviews account for 155 records (1.6%) and meta-analyses for 4. Randomized controlled trials number 203 (2.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 3,374 |
| 2000-2009 | 2,007 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,591 |
| 2020 onward | 1,494 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 155 | 1.6% |
| Meta-analyses | 4 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 203 | 2.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Oleic Acid"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals
Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Update on Anti-Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms Induced by Oleic Acid | 2023 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 179 | cc by PMID 36615882 · DOI · PMC9824542 |
| Lipid accumulation and oxidation in glioblastoma multiforme | 2019 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 117 | cc by PMID 31863022 · DOI · PMC6925201 |
| Oleic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy in the treatment of Tongue Squamous cell carcinomas | 2017 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 98 | cc by PMID 28900281 · DOI · PMC5595908 |
| Rapid ER remodeling induced by a peptide-lipid complex in dying tumor cells | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 40132886 · DOI · PMC11938384 |
Update on Anti-Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms Induced by Oleic Acid [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- In 2010, the Mediterranean diet was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- Closing excerpt
- In this review, we examine the cellular reactions and intracellular processes triggered by OA in T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils in order to better understand the immune modulation exerted by OA.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (260 words)
In 2010, the Mediterranean diet was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Olive oil is the most characteristic food of this diet due to its high nutraceutical value. The positive effects of olive oil have often been attributed to its minor components; however, its oleic acid (OA) content (70-80%) is responsible for its many health properties. OA is an effective biomolecule, although the mechanism by which OA mediates beneficial physiological effects is not fully understood. OA influences cell membrane fluidity, receptors, intracellular signaling pathways, and gene expression. OA may directly regulate both the synthesis and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The anti-inflammatory effect may be related to the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of anti-inflammatory ones. The best-characterized mechanism highlights OA as a natural activator of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), derived from OA, is an endogenous ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) nuclear receptor. OEA regulates dietary fat intake and energy homeostasis and has therefore been suggested to be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity. OEA has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The beneficial effects of olive oil may be related to the actions of OEA. New evidence suggests that oleic acid may influence epigenetic mechanisms, opening a new avenue in the exploration of therapies based on these mechanisms. OA can exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects by regulating microRNA expression. In this review, we examine the cellular reactions and intracellular processes triggered by OA in T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils in order to better understand the immune modulation exerted by OA.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 36615882 · DOI · PMC9824542
Lipid accumulation and oxidation in glioblastoma multiforme [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary malignant brain tumor in adults.
- Closing excerpt
- Our findings demonstrate that monounsaturated fatty acids promote GBM proliferation via triglyceride metabolism, suggesting a novel lipid droplet-mediated pathway which may be targeted for GBM treatment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (167 words)
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite the multimodal standard treatments for GBM, the median survival is still about one year. Analysis of brain tissues from GBM patients shows that lipid droplets are highly enriched in tumor tissues while undetectable in normal brain tissues, yet the identity and functions of lipid species in GBM are not well understood. The aims of the present work are to determine how GBM utilizes fatty acids, and assess their roles in GBM proliferation. Treatment of U138 GBM cells with a monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, induces accumulation of perilipin 2-coated lipid droplets containing triglycerides enriched in C18:1 fatty acid, and increases fatty acid oxidation. Interestingly, oleic acid also increases glucose utilization and proliferation of GBM cells. In contrast, pharmacologic inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase attenuates GBM proliferation. Our findings demonstrate that monounsaturated fatty acids promote GBM proliferation via triglyceride metabolism, suggesting a novel lipid droplet-mediated pathway which may be targeted for GBM treatment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31863022 · DOI · PMC6925201
Oleic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy in the treatment of Tongue Squamous cell carcinomas [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Oleic acid (OA), a main ingredient of Brucea javanica oil (BJO), is widely known to have anticancer effects in many tumors.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus, OA is a potential TSCC drug that is worthy of further research and development.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (179 words)
Oleic acid (OA), a main ingredient of Brucea javanica oil (BJO), is widely known to have anticancer effects in many tumors. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of OA and its mechanism in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). We found that OA effectively inhibited TSCC cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. OA treatment in TSCC significantly induced cell cycle G0/G1 arrest, increased the proportion of apoptotic cells, decreased the expression of CyclinD1 and Bcl-2, and increased the expression of p53 and cleaved caspase-3. OA also obviously induced the formation of autolysosomes and decreased the expression of p62 and the ratio of LC3 I/LC3 II. The expression of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-S6K, p-4E-BP1 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly decreased in TSCC cells after treatment with OA. Moreover, tumor growth was significantly inhibited after OA treatment in a xenograft mouse model. The above results indicate that OA has a potent anticancer effect in TSCC by inducing apoptosis and autophagy via blocking the Akt/mTOR pathway. Thus, OA is a potential TSCC drug that is worthy of further research and development.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28900281 · DOI · PMC5595908
Rapid ER remodeling induced by a peptide-lipid complex in dying tumor cells [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The membranous ER spans the entire cell, creating a network for the biosynthesis of proteins and lipids, cell-wide communication, and nuclear delivery of molecules, including therapeutic agents.
- Closing excerpt
- This newly discovered, potent ER response to alpha1-oleate may have evolved to package ER-associated cellular contents in the nuclei of dying tumor cells, thus sequestering toxic cell debris associated with apoptotic cell death.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (170 words)
The membranous ER spans the entire cell, creating a network for the biosynthesis of proteins and lipids, cell-wide communication, and nuclear delivery of molecules, including therapeutic agents. Here, we identify a novel ER response triggered by the tumoricidal complex alpha1-oleate, defined by a loss of peripheral ER structure, extensive ER vesiculation. Alpha1-oleate was present in the ER-derived vesicle membranes, also decorated by ER-resident and ER-interacting proteins, calnexin and ORP3, and in their lumen, also enriched for KDEL, confirming their ER origin distinct from lipid droplets. Rapid nuclear uptake of the complex constituents resulted in diffuse nuclear staining, and the asymmetrical perinuclear enrichment of the collapsing ER with its content of alpha1-oleate created large invaginations lined by the ER, inner nuclear membrane markers, and lamin nucleoskeleton. In parallel, a change in nuclear shape resulted in a volcano-like structure. This newly discovered, potent ER response to alpha1-oleate may have evolved to package ER-associated cellular contents in the nuclei of dying tumor cells, thus sequestering toxic cell debris associated with apoptotic cell death.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40132886 · DOI · PMC11938384
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Palmitic and Oleic Acid: The Yin and Yang of Fatty Acids in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [5]
- Research article An overview of the modulatory effects of oleic acid in health and disease [6]
- Research article Health effects of oleic acid and long chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) enriched milks. A review of intervention studies [7]
- Research article Role of oleic acid in immune system; mechanism of action; a review [8]
- Research article HAMLET kills tumor cells by an apoptosis-like mechanism--cellular, molecular, and therapeutic aspects [9]
- Research article Role of Oleic Acid in the Gut-Liver Axis: From Diet to the Regulation of Its Synthesis via Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 (SCD1) [10]
References
- Santa-María C, López-Enríquez S, Montserrat-de la Paz S, Geniz I, Reyes-Quiroz ME, Moreno M, et al.. Update on Anti-Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms Induced by Oleic Acid. . 2023. PMID 36615882 · DOI · PMC9824542
- Taïb B, Aboussalah AM, Moniruzzaman M, Chen S, Haughey NJ, Kim SF, et al.. Lipid accumulation and oxidation in glioblastoma multiforme. . 2019. PMID 31863022 · DOI · PMC6925201
- Jiang L, Wang W, He Q, Wu Y, Lu Z, Sun J, et al.. Oleic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy in the treatment of Tongue Squamous cell carcinomas. . 2017. PMID 28900281 · DOI · PMC5595908
- Sabari S, Chinchankar S, Ambite I, Nazari A, Carneiro APN, Svenningsson A, et al.. Rapid ER remodeling induced by a peptide-lipid complex in dying tumor cells. . 2025. PMID 40132886 · DOI · PMC11938384
- Palomer X, Pizarro-Delgado J, Barroso E, Vázquez-Carrera M. Palmitic and Oleic Acid: The Yin and Yang of Fatty Acids in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2018. PMID 29290500 · DOI
- Sales-Campos H, Souza PR, Peghini BC, da Silva JS, Cardoso CR. An overview of the modulatory effects of oleic acid in health and disease. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2013. PMID 23278117 · DOI
- Lopez-Huertas E. Health effects of oleic acid and long chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) enriched milks. A review of intervention studies. Pharmacol Res. 2010. PMID 19897038 · DOI
- Carrillo C, Cavia Mdel M, Alonso-Torre S. Role of oleic acid in immune system; mechanism of action; a review. Nutr Hosp. 2012. PMID 23165533 · DOI
- Svanborg C, Agerstam H, Aronson A, Bjerkvig R, Düringer C, Fischer W, et al.. HAMLET kills tumor cells by an apoptosis-like mechanism--cellular, molecular, and therapeutic aspects. Adv Cancer Res. 2003. PMID 12665051 · DOI
- Piccinin E, Cariello M, De Santis S, Ducheix S, Sabbà C, Ntambi JM, et al.. Role of Oleic Acid in the Gut-Liver Axis: From Diet to the Regulation of Its Synthesis via Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 (SCD1). Nutrients. 2019. PMID 31554181 · DOI · PMC6835877
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.