Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Artemisia judaica Extract Against Sodium Fluoride-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats: Behavioral, Biochemical, and Histopathological Evidence
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Sodium fluoride (NaF) is a widely used compound that, at toxic exposure levels, induces oxidative stress-driven neurotoxicity accompanied by hepatorenal dysfunction; yet effective preventive strategies remain limited. This study investigated the protective and therapeutic efficacy of Artemisia judaica extract (AJE) against NaF-induced neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral deficits in rats, and evaluated its effects on associated hepatorenal injury. Male Wistar rats were assigned to control, AJE, NaF, post-treatment (NaF→AJE), and co-treatment (NaF+AJE) groups. NaF exposure induced oxidative stress, evidenced by increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and depletion of glutathione and catalase. These changes were accompanied by elevated hepatic and renal dysfunction biomarkers, increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), myelin basic protein (MBP), and neurofilament light chain (NEFL), together with reduced B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). NaF also altered exploratory behavior and impaired spatial learning performance, recognition memory, and spatial memory; reduced body weight and food intake; and caused marked histopathological alterations in the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys. Co-treatment with AJE markedly attenuated these biochemical, behavioral, and histopathological abnormalities, whereas post-treatment produced only partial recovery. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Artemisia judaica provides greater preventive than therapeutic efficacy against NaF-induced neurotoxicity and highlights its potential as a natural dietary intervention.
Source: Brain Disorders
Author: Mohamed Shalan
Institution: Arish University
Language: English
Topic: Fluoride Effects and Removal
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,810
OpenAlex ID: W7225779293