Momast Protects SH-SY5Y Cells Against Heavy Metal-Induced Neurotoxicity Through Complementary Membrane-Dependent and Intracellular Mechanisms

Momast is a patented polyphenolic complex sustainably extracted from the vegetation water generated during the processing of the Coratina olive cultivar. Although its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been previously demonstrated, its neuroprotective activity and underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of Momast using complementary cellular and biophysical approaches. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to cadmium, mercury, or lead to reproduce distinct mechanisms of heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity, and cell viability was evaluated following co-treatment with Momast. In parallel, the interaction of Momast with biomimetic planar lipid membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol was investigated by electrophysiological analysis. Momast significantly attenuated heavy metal-induced cytotoxicity, although the magnitude and concentration dependence of the protective effect varied according to the metal. Electrophysiological measurements demonstrated that Momast interacts directly with lipid bilayers through a sequential adsorption–insertion process, without compromising membrane integrity, and forms stable, conductive assemblies within the membrane. Overall, the combined cellular and biophysical findings support a mechanistic model in which Momast exerts neuroprotective activity through complementary membrane-dependent and intracellular mechanisms, highlighting membrane interactions as an important determinant of the biological activity of complex olive polyphenolic mixture.