Abstract
To investigate effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the cerebellum cerebral hemisphere brain of rats and its possible amelioration by the popular Ayurvedic herbal health product triphala, adult female Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) were administered 10 mg NaF/kg bw/day and 30 mg triphala/kg bw/day for 30 days. A significant decline in body and brain tissue weights after NaF treatment was noted. The decreased succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity indicated an alteration in mitochondrial structure and function by fluoride poisoning affecting energy metabolism. An increase in the total lipid could be the result of the inhibition of enzymes and reduction of fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, increased lipid peroxidation indicated an oxidative stress in the brain. These effects were correlated with histological changes and accumulation of fluoride in the neural tissue. However, these changes were ameliorated by co-supplementation of triphala with NaF. The antioxidant properties of the herbal product triphala therefore had an alleviating effect on NaF-induced neurotoxicity in rats.