Togbossi_2026_Brain.Res_1880_150230

Fluorine is a toxic element naturally present in the environment. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and contributes to brain tissue damage. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Entada africana stem bark (EAE) on neurological function and behavior alterations induced by sodium fluoride (NaF). Forced swim and Morris water maze tests were performed in Institue of Cancer Research (ICR) mice, while the open field test was conducted in Sprague Dawley rats. Both sexes of rats were administered NaF orally once daily at doses of 20 mg/kg (body weight, b.w.) for rats, and 10.5 mg/kg (b.w.) for mice over 30 days. Concurrently, they also received EAE orally once daily (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg), and distilled water for the control group. Hippocampus oxidative markers malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), catalase activity (CAT), and Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChEA) were assessed. Behavioral tests conducted on mice revealed that NaF significantly increased the immobility time of mice in the forced swim test. In Morris water maze test, NaF-treated animals expressed more difficulty locating the hidden platform. Open-field test on rats showed decreased the exploratory activity of NaF treated rats. EAE treatments significantly restored mice's mobility time in forced swim test, ability to locate the platform in Morris water maize test, rat's exploratory activity and reduced the time spent in the periphery of the chamber in Open-field test. Animals treated with NaF Hippocampus MDA and NO levels increase while GSH content, CAT and AChEA activity decrease. NaF also induced histological alterations in rat's hippocampus. EAE also reversed MDA, NO and GSH levels, CAT and AChEA activity, the hippocampus histological alterations induced by NaF treatments. E. africana stem bark hydroalcoholic extract exhibits its neuroprotective effect more likely through antioxidant mechanisms. Further research is required to thoroughly evaluate the neuroprotective potential of this medicinal plant.