Traditional plants are largely used in alternative medicine for many disorders treatment. However, some discussions regarding the safety of their usage exist. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-amnesic effect of Datura innoxia leaves aqueous extract, and the possible noxious impact of its use. Thus, there were evaluated the possible protective effects of the extract on the central nervous system, as well as its toxic effects, by using Wistar rats models and NMRI mice, respectively.The results are showing non-protective effects of the aforementioned extract in the behavioural tests, as well as in the levels of acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase and catalase specific activity evaluation. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity also suffered some significant decreases in the extract-treated rats. In addition, the toxicity results showed no mortality in acute and subacute evaluation. However, behavioural disturbance in Y maze and elevated plus maze tests were observed in all animals receiving acute toxicity doses (2400 and 3000 mg/kg b.w.). Likewise, for the subacute study, there was a body weight lost, biochemical and haematological changes in the extract treated groups. In conclusion, this study suggests that D. innoxia leaves aqueous extracts do not show any anti-amnesic effect on scopolamine-induced memory impairment rats. It could be considered low toxic up to the dose level of 3000 mg/kg b.w. in oral acute use and at the dose level up to 400 mg/kg b.w. in oral subacute use. These results could be of interest for the further use of this extract in traditional or clinical medicine.

Datura innoxia, neuroprotective