Bonolive demonstrates potential support for tissue aging in postmenopausal women, new study shows

Supplementation with Bonolive from Solabia Nutrition may support circulating biomarkers and skin quality in postmenopausal women, according to a recently published double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.¹ Hormone shifts during menopause contribute to systemic aging and changes in skin collagen content, the study explains, and systemic biomarkers can be a way to monitor the changes. Bonolive is an extract from Manzanilla olive leaves, standardized for 40% oleuropein, and also contains hydroxytyrosol, both of which are known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and for counteract tissue aging mechanisms.

Study design: measuring changes in biomarkers

The exploratory study, “Effects of olive leaf extract supplementation on systemic markers of tissue aging and remodeling in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial with exploratory skin outcomes,” was published in Frontiers in Nutrition in November 2025. The focus on circulating biomarkers aimed to gain further knowledge of the physiological effects of the extract. The study was a collaboration between Solabia’s R&D team and researchers with Maastricht University, Netherlands.

In this study, 65 healthy postmenopausal women, ages 45-70 years, consumed either a capsule of 250 mg of the extract (providing ≥100 mg oleuropein) or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. The main measurements were for circulating elastin, collagen, hydroxyproline, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), advanced glycation end-products, and fasting glucose. Skin quality was also measured via video dermoscope in a subgroup of 26 participants.

Results: stabilization of elastin levels

Trends the effects of the systemic markers suggested a possible modulation of extracellular matrix preservation and protein glycation pathways. No statistically significant changes were seen in systemic markers associated with tissue aging and remodeling.

Highlighted results include:

• Levels of elastin (a key structural protein in tissues) remained stable in the olive leaf extract (OLE) group, and significantly increased in the placebo group, though this was not seen after correcting for multiple testing
• Similarly, pentosidine significantly decreased in the supplement group compared to placebo, but not after correction
• No changes were seen in collagen, hydroxyproline, MMP-2, and glucose
• Possible localized effects on skin structure were evidenced by a reduction in pore number and skin surface skewness in the supplement group compared with placebo
• Wrinkles, redness, and other skin quality outcomes were not affected

Overall, the results suggested further, more targeted research into the systemic and dermal effects of the extract on postmenopausal women. The trends in elastin suggested a potential stabilization of breakdown. “OLE may contribute to the preservation of tissue integrity by inhibiting or slowing down elastin degradation, which in turn could help maintain the structural and functional properties of tissues and organs such as connective tissue, muscles, and the skin,” the researchers concluded.

Bonolive for menopause symptom relief and bone health support

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2024, Bonolive was demonstrated to be effective in significantly improving menopause symptoms, lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing bone mineral density, compared to placebo.² The participants, 60 postmenopausal women ages 47-70, consumed either 250 mg of the extract or a placebo daily for 12 weeks.

Additionally, an earlier study, also a double blind, randomized trial, found that supplementation with Bonolive and calcium increased osteocalcin levels compared with the placebo.³ Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased in the placebo group and remained stable in the supplement group. In this exploratory study, the participants, 64 postmenopausal women consumed either 50 mg/day of olive leaf extract and 1000 mg Ca, or a placebo daily for 12 months.

References

1. Lasfar, A.; van Stratum, SLM.; Imperatrice, M.; van Kalkeren, CAJ.; Scheijen, JLJM.; Schalkwijk, CG.; La Torre, D.; Troost, FJ, Effects of olive leaf extract supplementation on systemic markers of tissue aging and remodeling in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial with exploratory skin outcomes. Front. Nutr. 2025. 12:1670194. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1670194
2. McEvoy, E. Proprietary olive leaf extract may alleviate postmenopausal symptoms according to recently published study. December 4, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/proprietary-olive-leaf-extract-may-alleviate-postmenopausal-symptoms-according-to-recently-published-study (accessed 2025-11-25).
3. Filip, R.; Possemiers, S.; Heyerick, A.; Pinheiro, I.; Raszewski, G.; Davicco, M-J.; Coxam, V. Twelve-month consumption of a polyphenol extract from olive (Olea europaea) in a double blind, randomized trial increases serum total osteocalcin levels and improves serum lipid profiles in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. The Journal of nutrition, health and aging. 2015. 19(1). DOI: 10.1007/s12603-014-0480-x