Liposome preparation of alpha-arbutin: stability and toxicity assessment using mouse B16F10 melanoma cells.

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with few therapeutic alternatives following metastasis development. In recent years, drug delivery-associated nanotechnology has shown promising targeted results with diminished adverse effects compared to conventional treatments. This study aimed to (1) examine the effects of plant-derived α-arbutin, a natural compound and (2) compare these findings with bioactively developed liposomes containing α-arbutin utilizing the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line as a model. Liposomes were obtained through reversed-phase evaporation by applying a spray dryer to assess their stability. The following biologic assays were measured cytotoxicity/antiproliferative (MTT, Neutral Red, and dsDNA PicoGreen). In addition, the levels of melanin and purinergic enzymes were also measured. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) was determined as a measure of oxidative state. Treatment with nano-liposome containing alpha-arbutin induced a significant 68.4% cytotoxicity, similar to the positive control, in the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line at 72 hr. Further, arbutin and liposomes containing alpha-arbutin increased levels of ROS and nitrite formation at 72 hr at the highest concentration (100 and 300 µg/ml) of treatments. Arbutin and liposomes containing alpha-arbutin reduced melanin levels at all tested concentrations. In addition, arbutin and alpha-arbutin containing liposomes lowered nucleotides (AMP, ADP, and ATP) and nucleoside (adenosine) levels in melanoma cells. Evidence suggests that α-arbutin containing liposome can be considered as an alternative immunosuppressive agent stimulated in melanoma treatment.

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.