Antioxidant Effects of Oleuropein on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Neuronal Stress- An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND: Persistent oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation and mediate most chronic diseases including neurological disorders. Oleuropein has been shown to be a potent antioxidant molecule in olive oil leaf having antioxidative properties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of oleuropein against oxidative stress in human glioblastoma cells. METHODS: Human glioblastoma cells (U87) were pretreated with oleuropein (OP) essential oil 10 µM. After 30 minutes, 100 µM H(2)O(2) was added to the cells for three hours. Cell survival was quantified by colorimetric MTT assay. Glutathione level, total oxidant capacity, total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide levels were determined by using specific spectrophotometric methods. The relative gene expression level of iNOS was performed by qRT-PCR method. RESULTS: According to viability results, the effective concentration of H(2)O(2) (100µM) significantly decreased cell viability and oleuropein pretreatment significantly prevented the cell losses. Oleuropein regenerated total antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels decreased by H(2)O(2) exposure. In addition, nitric oxide and total oxidant capacity levels were also decreased after administration of oleuropein in treated cells. CONCLUSION: Oleuropein was found to have potent antioxidative properties in human glioblastoma cells. However, further studies and validations are needed in order to understand the exact neuroprotective mechanism of oleuropein.