Fluoride Contamination, Toxicity and its Potential Therapeutic Agents

Fluoride is the thirteenth most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is highly electronegative and distributed ubiquitously in nature. During weathering of rocks and soil, fluoride can leach out and dissolve in the groundwater. Both plants and animals are exposed to several compounds of fluoride through contaminated soil and water. Fluoride contamination in groundwater is a major global concern as groundwater is frequently used for drinking in various parts of the world, especially in developing countries. Fluoride compounds have been reported to impose acute and chronic health hazards. Millions of global populations are suffering from dental and skeletal fluorosis due to high fluoride intake through drinking water. In green vegetation, fluoride accumulation causes necrosis in the tip and marginal portions of leaves. Diverse detrimental effects of fluoride on health have insisted researchers globally to identify compounds having protective potential against fluoride toxicity. Several plant extracts, vitamins, polyphenols, melatonin, hypophyseal proteins, and lycopene have been demonstrated to enhance the antioxidant status and subvert fluoride-induced health hazards in model organisms. However, more studies are required to forward conclusive opinions in terms of the real-life efficacy of these antioxidants against fluoride toxicity.