Protocatechuic acid methyl ester ameliorates fluoride toxicity in A549 cells.

The present study is aimed to determine the potential benefits of protocatechuic acid methyl ester (PCAME) against fluoride (F- ) induced lung toxicity using A549 cells. The cells were treated with sodium fluoride (NaF) alone and in combination with PCAME for different time points (0-24 h) and evaluated for intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, F- content, oxidative stress markers, apoptosis and mRNA expression of redox signaling and inflammatory genes. The results shown that PCAME alleviates the toxic effects of F- via modulating its bioavailability, intracellular calcium level, mitochondrial membrane integrity and redox signaling in A549 cells. F- induced changes in ROS generation, oxidative stress markers, TUNEL positive cells and mRNA levels of inflammatory genes were further normalized by PCAME. Taken together, these findings revealed that PCAME effectively attenuated the F- induced changes in oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis markers by reducing its cellular content, ROS generation and biochemical and molecular changes. Thus PCAME can be used as a nutraceutical agent for F- toxicity.