Ginkgo biloba ameliorates fluoride toxicity in rats by altering histopathology, serum enzymes of heme metabolism and oxidative stress without affecting brain mGluR5 gene

Background: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in experimental model of fluorosis. Objectives: To study the protective effect of GBE in fluoride toxicity by assessment of oxidative stress, serum biochemical parameters, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, histopathology and brain mGluR5 gene expression. Materials and Methods: Fifteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n = 3 rats in each group). Group 1 (control) received water, Groups 2–5 were treated with 100 ppm of sodium fluoride for 30 days, while the Groups 3, 4 and 5 were GBE treated with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight for 15 days, after sodium fluoride treatment for 30 days. Results: Elevated serum delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and delta aminolevulinic acid synthatase levels in fluoride intoxicated rats were ameliorated by various doses of GBE treatment. Elevated serum glutathione and decreased oxidized gluatathione levels observed in fluoride intoxicated rats were also ameliorated by GBE treatment but effectively at 100 mg/kg dose. Reduced AChE activity of hippocampus in fluoride-induced toxicity was reverted by 50 mg/kg of GBE whereas other doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) caused significant inhibition of AChE activity in comparison with fluoride group. Fluoride group rats showed significant reduction of mGluR5 gene expression levels whereas in all GBE treatment groups those changes Were not significantly reverted. GBE treatment to fluoride intoxicated rats almost reverted the degenerative changes in liver and kidney caused by fluorosis. Conclusion: The present study concluded beneficial effects of GBE in experimental model of fluorosis.