Memory deficit, toxic effects and activity of Na+, K+-ATPase and NTPDase in brain of Wistar rats submitted to orally treatment with alpha-terpinene

• Memory deficit in treated rats with all doses of α-terpinene was observed.
• α-terpinene causes DNA damage and decrease cell viability in brain tissue.
• α-terpinene decrease Na+, K+-ATPase activity in brain tissue in all concentrations.
• α-terpinene decrease NTPDase activity in serum in all concentrations.
• Toxic effects contribute to the memory deficit of treated animals.

The neurotoxic effects and activity of Na+, K+-ATPase and NTPDase in Wistar rats after treatment with α-terpinene (daily oral administration of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mL kg−1 for 10 days) were examined. Results of the inhibitory avoidance task showed a memory deficit (p < 0.05) in rats treated with all doses of α-terpinene. The evaluation of DNA damage in brain tissue revealed an increase (p < 0.05) on frequency of damage and damage index in all concentrations. According to the cytotoxicity assay, doses of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mL kg−1 increase the lactate dehydrogenase levels, and doses of 1.0 mL kg−1 also decrease (p < 0.05) cell viability in brain cells. A decrease (p < 0.05) on Na+, K+-ATPase activity in brain tissue and on NTPDase activity in serum were observed in all concentrations of α-terpinene. These results suggest that the α-terpinene was cytotoxic and genotoxic to the brain cells by inducing loss of cell viability and DNA damage, as well as causing alterations in Na+, K+-ATPase and NTPDase activity, what may contribute to the memory deficit of treated animals. Thus, α-terpinene cannot be consumed by the population at the doses studied.