Investigation of the Effects of Oleuropein on Depression Induced by Scopolamine in Adult Mice

Depression is still one of challenging, and widely encountered disorders with complex etiology. The role of healthy diet and oleuropein in ameliorating depression has been claimed. This study was designed to explore the effects of oleuropein on depression induced by scopolamine. In the present study, 35 male mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n=7). The control group received normal saline. The Sco group received intraperitoneal scopolamine at a dose of 1 mg/ kg for three weeks. The treatment groups received oleuropein in three doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/ kg. At the end of the behavioral tests, blood samples and brain tissues of the animals were removed for determination of biochemical tests. Results show that in groups receiving oleuropein at doses of 10 and 20 mg/ kg, the duration of immobility significantly reduced compared to the scopolamine group. Prescribing oleuropein at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly reduced the level of nitric oxide (NO) in serum and brain tissue. Oleuropein shows significant anti-depressant effects in mice receiving a scopolamine, possibly due to its antioxidant activity.