Lantana camara L., a plant used as an ethnomedicine, is considered to be toxic. In this context, evaluation of neurotoxic effect of L. camara was studied. Here, experimental mice were orally administered with an aqueous leaf extract of L. camara (AQLC) (500 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. Biochemical assays, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity as well as microscopic studies were performed to assess its neurotoxic effects. Administration (per oral) of AQLC in mice induced significant oxidative damage in the brain cortex and cerebellum as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and also the activity of AChE. This was associated with declining of the endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Co-treatment of calcium channel blockers, nimodipine (20 mg/kg body weight) and flunarizine (10 mg/kg body weight) along with the aqueous extract of L. camara were seemed to ameliorate the neurotoxic effect caused by AQLC. Furthermore, disintegration in the ultrastructure of brain cortex induced by L. camara was restored by treating calcium channel blockers. Altogether, the findings of this study concluded that the AQLC has potential neurotoxic effect in mice.
Key words: acetylcholinesterase, Lantana camara L., medicinal plant, oxidative stress, ultrastructure, brain
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