from Results and discussion: The present study evidenced that sodium fluoride consumption showed alteration in motor, cognitive, nociceptive behaviour and induced significant changes in the oxidative stress; membrane bound enzymes activities in rat. The administration of curcumin simultaneously with sodium fluoride reduced the oxidative stress, increased enzymes activities and improved behavioural abilities in rats. Vani and Reddy (2000) reported decreased somatic index of muscle and brain in

Abstract

Aim: The study reports protective role of curcumin, a polyphenolic c ompound, against sodium fluoride ++ (NaF) induced oxidative stress, altered cognitive, motor abilities and AChE, Na -KATPase activities in rat.

Methodology: Rats were divided into three groups. The first group received normal tap water that served -1 as control. The second group was treated with sodium fluoride (20 mg kg b. wt.). The third group was -1 -1 treated with sodium fluoride (20 mg kg b.wt.)+Curcumin (20 mg kg b.wt.) through drinking water by gavage for 30 days.

Results: The body weight (-22.55%), somatic index (-15%,26.72%), membrane bound enzymes Na-KATPase (-34.72%,-35.97%) and AChE activities (-44.70%, -38.83%) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased and oxidative stress marker lipid peroxidation level (67.96%,72 .46%) was increased in sodium fluoride intoxicated group as compared to control group. The motor coordination (-43.18%, -39.90%), locomotor (-41.45%) and nociceptive pain (-14.78%, -15.98%) abilities were diminished in sodium fluoride treated + group as compared to control group, whereas body weight, somatic index, membrane bound enzymes Na – + K ATPase, AChE activities, lipid peroxidation levels and motor coordination, locomotor and nociceptive pain abilities were significantly (p<0.05) reversed in curcumin treated along with sodium fluoride group compared to NaF treated group.

Interpretation: The results of the present study showed that curcumin ameliorated the oxidative stress, membrane bound enzyme activities in muscle and brain, as well as motor, pain and cognitive abilities of rat induced by NaF exposure.

Excerpt:

from Results and discussion:

The present study evidenced that sodium fluoride consumption showed alteration in motor, cognitive, nociceptive behaviour and induced significant changes in the oxidative stress; membrane bound enzymes activities in rat. The administration of curcumin simultaneously with sodium fluoride reduced the oxidative stress, increased enzymes activities and improved behavioural abilities in rats. Vani and Reddy (2000) reported decreased somatic index of muscle and brain in fluoride treated mice. It is evidenced in the present study that the body weight and organo somatic index (OSI) (Fig. 1a, b) of muscle (-26.72%) and brain (-15%) of fluoride exposed rats were decreased significantly (p<0.05) as compared to control, whereas the NaF+Curcumin treated group showed increased OSI of brain (-5.71%) and muscle (-10.34%) as compared to fluoride administered rats and results were nearer to control rats (p<0.05). The body, brain and muscle weights were proportionately reduced in fluoride treated rats as compared to control group individuals and improved in the above weights in curcumin received rats.