Protective effect of nebivolol on reserpine-induced neurobehavioral and biochemical alterations in rats

Reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia is a model that shares some mechanists' aspects with tardive dyskinesia whose pathophysiology has been related to oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to explore neuroprotective effects of nebivolol, an antihypertensive agent, on reserpine-induced neurobehavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. Reserpine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) was used to induce neurotoxicity. Administration of reserpine for 3 days every other day significantly increased the vacuous chewing movements (VCMs), tongue protrusions (TPs) and reduced the locomotor activity in rats. Pre-treatment with nebivolol (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o. for 5 days) showed dose dependant decrease in VCMs and TP induced by reserpine. Nebivolol also showed significant improvement in locomotor activity. Reserpine significantly increased lipid peroxidation and reduced the levels of defensive antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in rat brain. Nebivolol reversed these effects of reserpine on oxidative stress indices; indicating amelioration of oxidative stress in rat brains. The results of the present study indicated that nebivolol has a protective role against reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia. Thus, the use of nebivolol as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia may be considered.