Neuroprotection by Arbutin against Haloperidol-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia in Rats via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder, with antipsychotic medicine as its principal treatment. Nonetheless, prolonged administration of conventional antipsychotics frequently induces irregular involuntary movements, particularly affecting the orofacial area, leading to Tardive Dyskinesia (TD). There is no effective treatment for TD. Arbutin is a natural polyphenol recognised for its neuroprotective properties. Arbutin's neuroprotective effectiveness against the neurotoxicity and orofacial dysfunction caused by haloperidol in TD rats was evaluated in this work.

Wistar rats were administered haloperidol (1 mg/kg/i.p.) over 21 days to generate symptoms resembling TD. The therapy markedly elevated tongue protrusions, vacuous chewing movements, facial jerks, as well as compromised motor coordination and locomotor activity, which was mitigated following arbutin administration. Moreover, arbutin administration yield in a substantial reduction in TBARS, nitric oxide, TNF-α, as well as IL-β, while elevating catalase, GSH, and SOD levels in comparison to haloperidol-treated rats.

Study data indicate that arbutin possesses neuroprotective effect which mitigates progression of TD. These findings suggest that arbutin possesses antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory activity that enhance motor function and may be investigated for cellular and molecular mechanisms for potential application in the treatment and management of TD.