Objective: Fluoride is an excitotoxin that overstimulates excitatory receptors and increases reactive oxygen species, leading to cognitive dysfunction. This study investigated the protective effects of Vitex negundo leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VNL) against fluoride-induced cognitive damage through behavioral and biochemical testing in male Wistar albino rats.
Materials and Methods: The GC-MS was used for identification of compounds present in the VNL. In treatment protocol, Groups I and II were designated as the normal and sodium fluoride (NaF) control groups, respectively, Group III as the VNL control (400 mg/kg body weight) group, and Groups IV and V as treatment groups which received VNL orally at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All groups except I and III received 100 ppm of sodium fluoride in their drinking water.
Results: GC-MS analysis of the VNL extract revealed a total of nine major compounds, such as glyceraldehyde, d-glucosamine, DL-arabinose, catechol, acetic acid, methyl 6-oxoheptanoate, 2,2’-[oxybis(2,1-ethanediyloxy)] bis-, melezitose, diethyl phthalate, and d-mannose. Fluoride administration altered neurobehavioral parameters as evidenced by changes in locomotor activity, forced swim test, and Y- and T-shaped runway performance. Additionally, it significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased brain acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and catalase levels. Treatment with VNL lowered brain lipid peroxidation while elevating levels of acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and catalase. Behavioral changes also improved significantly in the treatment groups.
Conclusion: Treatment with VNL significantly improved cognition in fluoride-exposed Wistar albino rats, potentially through its antioxidant properties.