Resveratrol reduces vacuous chewing movements induced by acute treatment with fluphenazine

Treatment with classical neuroleptics in humans can produce a serious side effect, known as tardive dyskinesia (TD). Here, we examined the possible neuroprotective effects of resveratrol, a polyphenol compound contained in red grapes and red wine, in an animal model of orofacial dyskinesia (OD) induced by acute treatment with fluphenazine. Adult male rats were treated during 3 weeks with fluphenazine enantate (25 mg/kg, i.m., single administration) and/or resveratrol (1 mg/kg, s.c., 3 times a week). Vacuous chewing movements (VCMs), locomotor and exploratory performance were evaluated. Fluphenazine treatment produced VCM in 70% of rats and the concomitant treatment with resveratrol decreased the prevalence to 30%, but did not modify the intensity of VCMs. Furthermore, the fluphenazine administration reduced the locomotor and exploratory activity of animals in the open field test. Resveratrol co-treatment was able to protect the reduction of both parameters. Taken together, our data suggest that resveratrol could be considered a potential neuroprotective agent by reducing motor disorders induced by fluphenazine treatment.