Fluoride Action Network

Abstract

Fluoride becomes toxic at higher doses which leads to Fluorosis. In addition to dental and skeletal fluorosis, it also affects soft tissues including liver, heart, kidney, muscle, brain, etc. The aim of this study to examine the fluoride-induced oxidative stress and the protective role of Allium sativum ethanolic extract (ASEE) against underlying fluoride induced neurotoxic effects in the brain of rats. Three months old (250-280 wt.) Wistar rats were randomly categorized into 4 groups which were control (received normal tap water), sodium fluoride (NaF) (20 ppm fluoride through IP), NaF (20 ppm) + ASEE (120mg/kg body wt; through oral with plastic gavage), and ASEE. The doses are continued for 15 days, and on completion of treatments behavioral (Rotarod and Hot plate test), oxidative stress markers (LPO, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px) and Histological (Golgi Cox staining) observations were made. NaF treated rats showed significantly (p<0.01) decreased motor coordination, thermal pain response, SOD and Catalase activity. Whereas, LPO levels and GSH-Px activity increased in NaF treated rats. Moreover, they also showed a decreased number of dendrites, synaptic connections and neural networks with compared to control. Oral administration of ASEE to fluoride-treated rats, the aforesaid parameters are significantly reversed concerning NaF treated rats. Thus the present study evidenced that ASEE has therapeutic importance to prevent NaF induced behavioral alterations, oxidative damage, and neuro-degeneration in the brain of the rat.