A Bioactive Olive Pomace Extract Prevents the Death of Murine Cortical Neurons Triggered by NMDAR Over-Activation

We have recently demonstrated that bioactive molecules, extracted by high pressure andtemperature from olive pomace, counteract calcium-induced cell damage to different cell lines. Here,our aim was to study the effect of the same extract on murine cortical neurons, since the preservationof the intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis is essential for neuronal function and survival. Accordingly, wetreated neurons with different stimuli in order to evoke cytotoxic glutamatergic activation. In theseconditions, the high-pressure and temperature extract from olive pomace (HPTOPE) only abolishedthe effects ofN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). Particularly, we observed that HPTOPE was ableto promote the neuron rescue from NMDA-induced cell death. Moreover, we demonstrated thatHPTOPE is endowed with the ability to maintain the intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis following NMDAreceptor overactivation, protecting neurons from Ca2+-induced adverse effects, including aberrantcalpain proteolytic activity. Moreover, we highlight the importance of the extraction conditionsused that, without producing toxic molecules, allow us to obtain protecting molecules belonging toproanthocyanidin derivatives like procyanidin B2. In conclusion, we can hypothesize that HPTOPE,due to its functional and nontoxic properties on neuronal primary culture, can be utilized for futuretherapeutic interventions for neurodegeneration.