Oleuropein Reverses Repeated Corticosterone-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior in mice: Evidence of Modulating Effect on Biogenic Amines

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 24;10(1):3336. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-60026-1.

Abstract

Depression is still one of challenging, and widely encountered disorders with complex etiology. The role of healthy diet and olive oil in ameliorating depression has been claimed. This study was designed to explore the effects of oleuropein; the main constituent of olive oil; on depression-like behaviors that are induced by repeated administration of corticosterone (40 mg/kg, i.p.), once a day for 21 days, in mice. Oleuropein (8, 16, and 32 mg/kg, i.p.) or fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, positive control, i.p.1) was administered 30 minutes prior to corticosterone injection. Sucrose consumption test, open-field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST) were performed. Reduced Glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, and biogenic amines; serotonin, dopamine, and nor-epinephrine; levels were also analyzed in brain homogenates. Corticosterone treatment induced depression-like behaviors, it increased immobility time in the TST, OFT, and FST, decreased the number of movements in OFT, and decreased sucrose consumption. Corticosterone effect was associated with depletion of reduced glutathione and increase of lipid peroxidation, in addition to modification of biogenic amines; decreased serotonin and dopamine. Oleuropein or fluoxetine administration counteracted corticosterone-induced changes. In conclusion, oleuropein showed a promising antidepressant activity, that is evident by improving corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors, and normalizing levels of biogenic amines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anhedonia / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal* / drug effects
  • Biogenic Amines / metabolism*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Corticosterone
  • Depression / chemically induced*
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hindlimb Suspension
  • Immobilization
  • Iridoid Glucosides
  • Iridoids / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Movement
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Sucrose
  • Swimming

Substances

  • Biogenic Amines
  • Iridoid Glucosides
  • Iridoids
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • oleuropein
  • Sucrose
  • Corticosterone