Dry Olive Leaf Extract in Combination with Methotrexate Reduces Cell Damage in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients-A Pilot Study

Abstract

The effects of co-administration of dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) with standard methotrexate (MTX) therapy on the parameters of cell damage and inflammation in patients with early and long-term rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were evaluated at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Patients were assigned to groups: the early phase RA group on MTX monotherapy (E MTX), and the two RA groups that received co-treatment with DOLE and MTX: early (E MTX + DOLE) and long-term phase patients (L-t MTX+ DOLE). Baseline values indicated increased parameters of cell damage and disruption of redox balance in all groups. After three weeks the E MTX + DOLE group maintained high catalase activity, exhibited decrease of lipid peroxidation and protein damage indicators-thiols and nitrites, while levels of DNA damage and pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 were significantly reduced. In E MTX group catalase activity remained unaltered while significant lipid peroxidation and DNA damage reductions were seen only after six weeks. L-t MTX + DOLE group showed only modest alterations of cell damage parameters during six weeks. Combined administration of DOLE with MTX contributes to faster reduction of cell damage, restores oxidative balance and improves interleukin-6 suppression during high disease activity in early phase RA, but not in long term patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cytogenetic alterations in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate and dry olive leaf extract

“…Although DNA damage reduction was observed in our previous study, where all RA groups treated with combined DOLE and MTX treatment showed significant improvement in DNA damage levels detectable with the comet assay (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016), the current study showed no significant effect of combined treatment on DNA damage levels detectable by micronucleus test. Differences in DNA damage reduction observed by comet assay in the previous study (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016) and observation by micronucleus test in the current results, could be explained by the fact that the comet assay detects DNA damage that originates mostly from the single strand breaks (SSB). SSB usually get repaired more quickly and efficiently than the double strand breaks (DSB), that are being involved in micronuclei formation (ILIAKIS et al, 2004;VON SONNTAG, 2006).…”

“…Elevated DNA damage, related to increased oxidative stress levels, was also correlated with disease activity according to JIKIMOTO et al (2002). Our previous finding has shown increased primary DNA damage by comet assay, both in early phase RA patients and in long-term patients, the highest damage being demonstrated in the early active stage of the disease (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016).…”

“…We have previously demonstrated increased levels of primary DNA damage in both early phase and long-term phase RA patients (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016). It was also shown that a 3-weeks supplementation with DOLE combined with MTX could significantly reduce DNA damage levels in early phase RA patients, but not in patients with the established, long-term disease (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016). Adding to our previous research, the aim of the present study was to determine whether a 3-week dry olive leaf extract supplementation combined with methotrexate could affect the peripheral blood lymphocytes frequencies of micronuclei formation in newly-diagnosed RA patients and long-term RA patients, both in active disease and with low disease activity.…”

“…We have previously demonstrated increased levels of primary DNA damage in both early phase and long-term phase RA patients (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016). It was also shown that a 3-weeks supplementation with DOLE combined with MTX could significantly reduce DNA damage levels in early phase RA patients, but not in patients with the established, long-term disease (ĈABARKAPA et al, 2016).…”

Olive Tree Biophenols in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: When Bitter is Better

“…In vitro studies support the anti-arthritic effects of phenolic extract from olive leaves, particularly oleuropein, on synovial fibroblasts, whose strong hyperproliferation in RA is responsible for the production of inflammatory mediators, followed by progressive matrix degradation, destruction of cartilage, and bone erosion [55,56]. In humans, a dry olive leaf has been administered orally in RA patients in addition to standard methotrexate therapy, in a trial that considers long term patients and early stage patients, compared with controls receiving methotrexate alone [57]. Interestingly, patients at the early stage of disease showed diminished levels of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and DNA damage, and a restored oxidative balance, suggesting a potential modulating role in the early phase of the disease.…”