Combining Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification to Investigate the Protective Effect of Melatonin on Fluoride-Induced Brain Injury.

ABSTRACT: Excessive fluoride exposure induces developmental neurotoxicity, but effective preventive strategies are currently scarce. Melatonin (Mel), a lipophilic hormone secreted by the pineal gland, exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study aimed to explore Mel's protective effect and mechanism against fluoride-induced developmental brain injury. We employed a network pharmacology approach to screen the common targets of Mel and fluoride-induced brain injury and performed enrichment analysis. A total of 189 common targets were identified, and these targets were mainly enriched in the HIF-1 signaling pathway and oxidative stress-related pathways. In vivo, Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to perinatal sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure with/without Mel; in vitro

SUBMITTER: Ma R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12944959 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature