Drug Development.

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Dementia affects over 10 million annually, necessitating novel therapeutic and preventative strategies.
• Natural products offer potential neuroprotective compounds due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Olea europaea leaf extracts were investigated for their potential in combating neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cytotoxicity and neuroprotective effects of Olea europaea leaf extracts.
• To identify key compounds responsible for antioxidant and neuroprotective activities.
• To explore natural product-based approaches for neurodegenerative disease prevention.

Main Methods:

• Six olive leaf extracts were prepared using different solvents and methods (reflux, maceration).
• Total flavonoid and phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and HPLC-DAD analysis were performed.
• In vitro cytotoxicity and neuroprotection assays were conducted on C6 astroglial and HT-22 neuronal cell lines against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation.

Main Results:

• Ethanol extracts (75% reflux, 80% maceration) exhibited potent antioxidant activity (EC50 38.29–51.84 µg/mL).
• The reflux-extracted sample showed high flavonoid (70 mg QE/g) and phenolic (102.72 mg GAE/g) content, with three flavonoids identified.
• Promising extracts displayed low cytotoxicity (IC50 208.0–365.6 µg/mL) and the ethanol 75% extract protected C6 astroglial cells from neuroinflammation at 31 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• Olive leaf extracts, especially those prepared with ethanol and heat, possess significant antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.
• These findings support the potential of Olea europaea extracts as a basis for developing new treatments and preventive measures for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Further research into these extracts could lead to novel therapeutic molecules targeting neuronal health.