Effect of Olive Leaf Extract on the Behavioral Signs of Huntington\'s Disease and Antioxidant Enzymatic Activity in the Rat Brain

Introduction: Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in which an increase in the global oxidative stress and a decrease in the antioxidant defense system are observed. Olea europaea's main phenolic components include oleuropein, dimethyl oleuropein, ligstroside and phenolic oleosides, which can be more than 140 mg per gram of fresh olives and 60-90 mg per gram of dried olive leaves. These phenolic components have great antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. We aimed to study the neuroprotective effects of pretreatment with olive leaf extract on the behavioral signs and antioxidant enzymatic activity in the brains of Huntington animal models. Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups in separate cages. The first and the second groups received distilled water orally. The third and the fourth groups were gavaged by75 and 150 mg/Kg/day of olive leaf extract, respectively. To induce Huntington’s disease, the animals were intraperitoneally injected with3-NP for 6 days. Results: Pretreatment with olive leaf extract exerts neuroprotective effects and significantly reduces neurological disorders and increases superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and catalase activities. Conclusion: Although more studies are required to explain the healing mechanism of olive leaf extract, it seems to exert its effects via protecting neurons through its antioxidant properties and its ability to increase enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalase.