Effect of hydroxytyrosol on glial cell culture.

Hydroxytyrosol is one of the main phenolic components of olive oil. It is present in the fruit and leaf of the olive (Olea europaea L.). This phenolic compound has health benefits and a protective action has been found in preclinical studies against several diseases (Nan et al., 2014; Waterman et al, 2007). It shows significant results related with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Mechanisms of action include potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Regarding the cancer chemo-preventive activities, it has been shown that Hydroxytyrosol is able to inhibit both initiation and promotion/progression phases of carcinogenesis by preventing the DNA damage induced by different genotoxic molecules and by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in different tumors cell lines (Fabiani et al., 2002, 2008). We exposed C6 rat glioma cells to Hydroxytyrosol (10-2M, 10-3M, 10-4M and 10-5M) for 1h, 6h, 24h, to test the effect of this compound on the cellular viability. The data obtained after the MTT test show a significant decrease in vitality in C6 cells, exposed to concentrations of hydroxytyrosol between 10-2M and 10-4M (from 18% to 30%). These data well fit with the immulocalisation of p53 (protein having anticancer function and playing a role in apoptosis) on the cells treated in the same manner. The immunolocalisation is present mainly at the 10-2 M Hydroxytyrosol and nuclear staining demonstrates nuclear condensation and fragmentation typical of apoptotic events. This shows that the analyzed molecule exerts a toxic action towards this cell type and probably induces apoptosis phenomenon.