Synergistic Mechanisms and Comprehensive Functional Evaluation of Bioactive Components from Olive and Chinese Olive

Olive and Chinese olive are rich sources of bioactive compounds with reported sensory and hepatoprotective activities; however, the synergistic effect between their functional components have not been systematically evaluated. In this study, DF3 (functional fraction isolated from olive) and GF3 (functional fraction isolated from Chinese olive) were obtained using a combination of solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and polyamide column chromatography. To investigate potential synergistic effects, the two fractions were blended at different ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2), and their taste-modulating properties, antioxidant capacity, and anti-intoxication and hepatoprotective activities were assessed using sensory analysis, radical scavenging assays, and biochemical indicators. Compared with the individual fractions, the blended formulations exhibited enhanced taste intensity, improved antioxidant capacity, and stronger hepatoprotective effects, as evidenced by greater reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Quantitative assessment using a combination index approach revealed a clear positive interaction between DF3 and GF3, with the GF3–DF3 (2:1) blend showing the most pronounced overall enhancement across multiple functional endpoints. Overall, this study provides a systematic and quantitative evaluation of synergistic effect between functional bioactive fractions and offers methodological guidance for the rational optimization of functional formulations.