Ameliorative effects of oleanolic acid on fluoride induced metabolic and oxidative dysfunctions in rat brain:...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Fluoride exposure can induce oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction in the brain.
• Specific brain regions like the cerebrum, cerebellum, pons, and medulla are susceptible to fluoride toxicity.
• Oleanolic acid is a plant-derived triterpenoid with potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of oleanolic acid against fluoride-induced oxidative stress and metabolic alterations in the rat brain.
• To evaluate the impact of oleanolic acid supplementation on key biochemical parameters in different brain regions exposed to sodium fluoride.

Main Methods:

• Male Wistar rats were administered sodium fluoride (20 mg/kg b.w./day) for 30 days.
• Oleanolic acid (5 mg/kg b.w./day) was given orally during the last 14 days of fluoride treatment.
• Biochemical analyses were performed on brain tissues to assess protein, nucleic acid, enzyme activities, and oxidative stress markers.

Main Results:

• Fluoride exposure significantly reduced protein and nucleic acid content, inhibited proteolytic enzymes, and increased transaminase activities in brain regions.
• Fluoride elevated malondialdehyde, free amino acid nitrogen, nitric oxide, and free hydroxyl radical levels, while depleting glutathione and reducing antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, GR, CAT).
• Oleanolic acid supplementation ameliorated these fluoride-induced biochemical and oxidative changes, indicating a neuroprotective effect.

Conclusions:

• Oleanolic acid demonstrates significant antioxidative effects against fluoride-induced oxidative brain damage.
• It effectively counteracts fluoride-induced alterations in brain metabolic functions, including protein/nucleic acid levels and enzyme activities.
• Oleanolic acid shows promise as a therapeutic agent for mitigating fluoride neurotoxicity.