Lantana undulata Schrank – A New Source of Biological Potential in the Verbenaceae Family

Background: The presence of condensed tannins, flavonones, flavonols, flavones, xantones, catechins and alkaloids in the ethanolic extract of Lantana undulata leaves has been associated with cytotoxicity and virucidal effect on suid herpesvirus. Objective: To evaluate cellular toxicity, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and anti-phlogistic property of the ethanolic extract leaves of Lantana undulata, a plant from the Verbenaceae family. Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated on Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells and erythrocytes and through leukocyte DNA damage. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were performed using the agar diffusion technique and broth microdilution. The inhibition percentage and viral inhibition index were established against bovine herpesvirus. The antioxidant effect (EC50) was determined by the DPPH technique and the mouse ear edema model was used to determine the anti-phlogistic activity. Results: The maximum nontoxic concentration for MDBK cells was 650 μg/ml. The ethanolic extract of L. undulata was considered non-hemolytic from 2 to 16 μg/ml and not genotoxic at the concentration tested (<8 μg/ml). High concentrations (3500 μg/ml) were needed to inhibit bacteria and yeasts, and the action of the extract was bacteriostatic or fungistatic. The IIV was of 0.37 and the IP was of 57.34% against bovine herpesvirus. The antioxidant EC50 was 540.87 μg/ml and the reduction of oedema occurred at 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg in the mouse model used. Conclusion: Although the ethanolic extract of L. undulataleaves showed to be potentially toxic and to have a reduced spectrum of action on microorganisms, the outstanding antiphlogistic action puts the therapeutic potential of this plant into perspective.