In silico design, photostability and biological properties of the complex resveratrol/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The topical administration of trans-resveratrol is limited because of its fast degradation upon UV irradiation. As assessed in the literature, cyclodextrins are able to protect the guest molecule against photodegradation. Accordingly, in this report the possibility of forming a stable complex between resveratrol and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was firstly checked by docking strategies and then confirmed by solubility diagrams and differential scanning calorimetric measurements. The rate of degradation of resveratrol was then followed in different systems under UVA irradiation: the results showed the photoprotective effect of the complex. Moreover, the radical scavenging activity, the metal-chelating efficiency and the anti-lipoperoxidative potential of resveratrol were assessed: data showed that the inclusion phenomenon did not significatively interfere with these biological properties. Finally, in vitro experiments revealed that the skin accumulation of resveratrol was higher when released from the complex then when deposited alone.