Gastrodin alleviates bone damage by modulating protein expression and tissue redox state.

Fluorosis is a common disease characterized by disruptions in bone metabolism and enamel development. The production of reactive oxygen species is thought to play an important role in fluorosis. Gastrodin (4-hydroxybenzylalcohol4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) has been reported to have antioxidative activity, and so here we examined whether gastrodin has protective effects against oxidative stress and bone tissue toxicity in rats with fluorosis. Wistar rats were given different doses of gastrodin 1 month after fluoride administration, and samples of blood, bone and teeth were collected after 2, 3 and 4 months; glutathione peroxidase glu, CAT and SOD levels in the fluorosis group were lower than those in the control group. Gastrodin treatment in rats ameliorated oxidative stress and fluoride accumulation that were induced by fluoride; treatment with 400 mg·kg gastrodin protected trabecular bone structure and reduced femur and alveolar bone injury in rats with fluorosis. Enhanced expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (caspase) 3, caspase-9 and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2 induced by fluoride were also reversed by gastrodin. In summary, the present data suggest that gastrodin, and in particular a dose of 400 mg·kg , can improve the antioxidative capacity of rats, reduce concentration of fluoride in tissues, alleviate bone damage and modulate expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9.