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Journals / Black Sea Journal of Health Science / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2

Exploring the Complementary Influence of an Oleuropein-Enriched Phytochemical Extract on Neuro-biochemistry, Behavior, and Histopathology in Aging and Depressed Male Rats

Shirin Tarbiat(ÜSKÜDAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-7931-1546
Kübra Ergün(YILDIZ TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8479-8317
Refika Aydoğdu(ÜSKÜDAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0005-3006-1642
Estelle Larissa Ndengom Djomaleu(ÜSKÜDAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-6884-390X
Kürşat Filikci(HARRAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-9710-9480
Pages
58–69
Publication Date
2025-03-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

We demonstrate that the olive leaf extract with 20% pure oleuropein markedly maintained the neurotransmitter levels in the brain and enhanced the antioxidant defense system in depressed and aged animal models but was unable to yield behavioral benefits.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aging correlates with neurodegenerative diseases such as depression, marked by neuro-biochemical changes triggering neuronal loss.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Our study examines the preventive effects of an olive leaf extract consisting of 20% pure oleuropein in an animal model of aging and depression.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:We demonstrate that the olive leaf extract with 20% pure oleuropein markedly maintained the neurotransmitter levels in the brain and enhanced the antioxidant defense system in depressed and aged animal models but was unable to yield behavioral benefits.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Oleuropein · Depression · Aging

Abstract

Aging correlates with neurodegenerative diseases such as depression, marked by neuro-biochemical changes triggering neuronal loss. Nutraceuticals exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and offer potential intervention. Our study examines the preventive effects of an olive leaf extract consisting of 20% pure oleuropein in an animal model of aging and depression. Aging in Wistar rats was induced by intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg of D-galactose/kg body weight for 6 weeks. The depression was caused by forced swimming. We examined Monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activities, histopathology of the brain, and the serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, superoxide dismutase, and monoaldehyde levels of all animal groups. Depressed and aged rats showed increased Monoamine oxidase, acetylcholinesterase, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels, and a decrease in superoxide dismutase levels. The administration of 200 mg of extract before depression or aging inductions significantly reduced the Monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activities. Degeneration/necrosis was observed in neurons of all experimental animal groups. We demonstrate that the olive leaf extract with 20% pure oleuropein markedly maintained the neurotransmitter levels in the brain and enhanced the antioxidant defense system in depressed and aged animal models but was unable to yield behavioral benefits.

Özet

Aging correlates with neurodegenerative diseases such as depression, marked by neuro-biochemical changes triggering neuronal loss. Nutraceuticals exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and offer potential intervention. Our study examines the preventive effects of an olive leaf extract consisting of 20% pure oleuropein in an animal model of aging and depression. Aging in Wistar rats was induced by intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg of D-galactose/kg body weight for 6 weeks. The depression was caused by forced swimming. We examined Monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activities, histopathology of the brain, and the serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, superoxide dismutase, and monoaldehyde levels of all animal groups. Depressed and aged rats showed increased Monoamine oxidase, acetylcholinesterase, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels, and a decrease in superoxide dismutase levels. The administration of 200 mg of extract before depression or aging inductions significantly reduced the Monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activities. Degeneration/necrosis was observed in neurons of all experimental animal groups. We demonstrate that the olive leaf extract with 20% pure oleuropein markedly maintained the neurotransmitter levels in the brain and enhanced the antioxidant defense system in depressed and aged animal models but was unable to yield behavioral benefits.

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Cite This Article

Tarbiat, S., Ergün, K., Aydoğdu, R., Djomaleu, E. L. N., Filikci, K. (2025). Exploring the Complementary Influence of an Oleuropein-Enriched Phytochemical Extract on Neuro-biochemistry, Behavior, and Histopathology in Aging and Depressed Male Rats. Black Sea Journal of Health Science, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2, 58–69. https://doi.org/10.19127/bshealthscience.1579376

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