Effects of Subacute Carvacrol Administration on Behavioral and Oxidative Stress Parameters During NaF Exposure

Purpose: Fluoride is an element found in the earth's crust thatleachesinto drinking waterfrom sources where the rocks contain fluoride-rich minerals.Excessive fluoride exposure can lead to complications in various tissues and metabolism, particularly affectingdental and skeletal tissuesalongside others. This study aimedto examine the impact of carvacrol (CAR), one of the main active compounds in thyme, on behavior and oxidative stress in sodium fluoride (NaF)exposure.In the current study, the Open Field Test (OFT), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM),and Barnes Maze testswere used to examine anxiety-like behaviors and spatial memory. Methods: Herein, 32 male Balb/C mice were divided into four groups:the Controlgroup, CARgroup:20 mg/kgCARintraperitoneally ( i.p.), NaF group: 50 ppm NaF (in tap water), and NaF+CAR group: 50 ppm NaF (in tap water) + CAR 20 mg/kg i.p. The treatments continued for 14 days. At the end of the protocol, the OFT, EPM test, and Barnes Maze test were conducted. Oxidative stress parameters[superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT),malondialdehyde (MDA)]were examined in the brain, kidney, and liver tissues. Results: The oxidative stress data indicated significant changes caused by the NaF and CAR. In the liver and kidneys, the enzyme activity values of SOD and CAT decreased significantly in the NaF group compared to the control and CAR groups, while in the brain, the CAT enzyme activity significantly decreased in the NaF group compared to control and CAR groups (p<0.05). Moreover, the levels of MDA, an importantmarker of lipid peroxidation, were significantly higher in the liver and brain tissues of the NaF group compared to the control group (p<0.05).The behavioral study results indicated no significant difference in the EPMtest but showed an increase in the number of rearingbehaviorsin the NaF group compared to the NaF+CAR group in the OFT, and a decrease in the grooming time in the NaF group compared to the CAR group (p<0.05). Conclusions: In the brain, kidney, and liver tissues, NaF exerted oxidative stress,as seen via the examined parameters (CAT, MDA, and SOD), while the CAR seemed to have an ameliorative effect against NaF-induced oxidative stress. The administration of NaF did not induce significant anxiety;on the contrary,the concomitant administration of NaF and CAR causedincreased anxiety-like behaviors compared tothe lone NaF exposure.