ABSTRACT
In this article, we aimed to investigate the anti-aging activity of Lantana camara ethanolic leaves-extract in Drosophila melanogaster: survival and longevity (life span). L. camara leaves were collected and washed thoroughly of sand particles, air-dried, ground, and extracted by the maceration method using ethanol as a solvent. Phytochemical screening was carried out. 168-hour LC50 was determined by exposing fruit flies to concentrations ranging from 5 to 5000 mg/10 g diet for 7-days. Twenty-eight-day survival and longevity studies were carried out by administering L. camara ethanolic leaves extract at 5, 10, and 20 mg/10 g diet to 1-3 days old fruit flies. Each concentration was replicated four times with 50 fruit flies each. The emergence rate of young fruit flies from eggs laid by fruit flies administered L. camara leaves-extracts were also carried out. The total yield of the extraction was determined to be 18%. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenol, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and carbohydrates. 168-hour LC50 of L. camara was also determined to be 1135 mg/10 g diet. L. camara significantly prolonged (P < 0.05) survival rate and extended (P < 0.05) D. melanogaster life span compared with control. L. camara significantly increased (P < 0.05) emergence rate of young fruit flies from eggs laid by fruit flies administered L. camara ethanolic leaves extracts. From the experimental results, it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of L. camara leaves extended the life span of D. melanogaster at these concentrations. Due to similarities of conserved genes between humans and fruit flies, the use of L. camara ethanolic leaves extract at these concentrations is safe and may be recommended as herbal medicine in humans.
