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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Lantana camara contains bioactive triterpenoids called lantadene A and lantadene B, along with oleanolic acid and flavonoids. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities through inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and disruption of microbial cell membranes. The plant's febrifuge properties in traditional medicine are attributed to these anti-inflammatory compounds, though precise molecular mechanisms remain under investigation. Evidence level: C (preliminary pharmacological studies).
Does Lantana camara interact with any medications?
Limited clinical data exists on Lantana camara drug interactions. Due to its hepatotoxic compounds (lantadenes), it may theoretically potentiate liver damage when combined with hepatotoxic medications such as acetaminophen, isoniazid, or certain antifungals. The plant's antimicrobial constituents could also theoretically interfere with antibiotic therapy. Patients on prescription medications should avoid internal use and consult healthcare providers before any topical application. Evidence level: C (theoretical interactions based on constituent properties).
What is the proper dosage for Lantana camara leaf preparations?
Traditional external use involves 5-10 grams of dried leaf prepared as a decoction for topical application to affected skin areas. Internal use is not recommended due to toxicity risks. No standardized clinical dosing protocols exist, and all preparations should be made under guidance from a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider familiar with this plant's toxicity profile. Evidence level: Traditional use only.
Is Lantana camara safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Lantana camara is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The hepatotoxic triterpenoids (lantadene A and B) can cross the placental barrier and may cause fetal harm or pregnancy complications. These compounds can also pass into breast milk, potentially affecting nursing infants. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid all forms of Lantana camara, including topical preparations. Evidence level: C (toxicological evidence contraindicates use).
Are Lantana camara berries poisonous to humans?
Yes, Lantana camara berries are extremely toxic to humans, particularly when unripe (green). Ingestion causes severe hepatotoxicity, photosensitization, gastrointestinal distress, and can be fatal, especially in children. The toxic triterpenoids lantadene A and B cause liver necrosis. Ripe (black) berries are less toxic but still pose significant danger. Immediate medical attention is essential if any amount is ingested. Evidence level: C (documented toxicological and case reports).
What is Lantana camara used for in traditional medicine?
Lantana camara has been used in folk medicine across tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas for treating fever, skin conditions, rheumatism, and promoting wound healing. Traditional healers apply leaf decoctions externally for dermatological complaints and inflammatory conditions. Laboratory studies confirm antimicrobial properties against certain pathogens. However, internal use is dangerous due to hepatotoxicity, restricting applications to external preparations only. Evidence level: C (traditional use supported by preliminary pharmacological research).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Lantana camara is a widely distributed plant used in folk medicine, though it is also recognized as a highly invasive noxious weed [PMID:11449493, PMID:34065417].
Background
Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), also known as red sage or lead camará, is native to tropical America and has naturalized in over 60 countries [PMID:34065417, PMID:35151836, PMID:39860280]. It is regarded as both a popular ornamental garden plant and one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species [PMID:11449493, PMID:34065417].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in Brazil, India, Kenya, Thailand, Mexico, Nigeria, Australia, and Southeast Asia for treating rheumatism, leprosy, respiratory diseases, fever, and cancer [PMID:35151836, PMID:35807651]. It has also been used in folk medicine as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, and for treating hemorrhages, flu, colds, and diarrhea [PMID:36326114, PMID:21331189].
Active compounds
The plant contains a diverse array of metabolites including triterpenes (such as lantadene A, lantadene B, lantanilic acid, lantoic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and camaric acid), phenolic compounds, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, iridoid glycosides, and fatty acids [PMID:24827681, PMID:34065417, PMID:39280287, PMID:35807651].
Mechanism of action
In breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7), L. camara extract induces apoptosis by modulating the Bcl-2 family (increasing Bid and Bax, decreasing Bcl-2) and regulating the cleavage of caspase-8, caspase-9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) [PMID:25145450].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DLeishmaniasis
Triterpenes (ursolic acid, lantanilic acid, lantadene A, and oleanolic acid) showed significant leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania major promastigotes in vitro [PMID:24827681]
Evidence DBreast Cancer
L. camara extract exhibited cell death properties in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines via apoptosis induction [PMID:25145450]
Evidence DRenal Calculi
Ethanol extracts of flowers significantly reduced kidney parameters (calcium, creatinine, urea, and uric acid) and restored GPx and superoxide dismutase activity in adult Wistar albino rats [PMID:33342292]
Evidence DBacterial Infections
Ethanolic extracts of leaves and roots demonstrated antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative strains [PMID:21331189]
Safety & adverse effects
L. camara is toxic to humans (specifically green unripe fruits) and animals [PMID:17453937]. In livestock (cattle, sheep, buffalo, and guinea pigs), ingestion causes hepatotoxicity, obstructive jaundice, and photosensitization, primarily affecting the liver and kidneys [PMID:7032835, PMID:3072688, PMID:17453937]. Toxicity is associated with pentacyclic triterpenoids called lantadenes [PMID:17453937].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models, and reviews; there are no human clinical trials provided in the source material.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 11449493 (2000) — Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). · Fitoterapia
2.PMID: 35151836 (2022) — Chemical profiling and unraveling of anti-COVID-19 biomarkers of red sage (Lantana camara L.) cultivars using UPLC-MS/MS coupled to chemometric analysis, in vitro study and molecular docking. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 34065417 (2021) — Allelopathy of Lantana camara as an Invasive Plant. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 7032835 (1981) — A review of the toxicity of Lantana camara (Linn) in animals. · Clinical toxicology
6.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
PMID: 3072688 (1988) — A review of the noxious plant Lantana camara. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
7.PMID: 39453581 (2024) — Investigating the sustainable energy generation potential of an invasive weed: Lantana camara. · Environmental science and pollution research international
8.PMID: 17453937 (2007) — A review of the hepatotoxic plant Lantana camara. · Critical reviews in toxicology
9.PMID: 39280287 (2024) — Uncovering anti-inflammatory potential of Lantana camara Linn: Network pharmacology and in vitro studies. · Narra J
10.PMID: 39860280 (2025) — Compounds Involved in the Invasive Characteristics of Lantana camara. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
11.PMID: 36328230 (2023) — Thermal pretreatment of Lantana camara for improved biogas production: Process parameter studies for energy evaluation. · Environmental research
12.PMID: 30852275 (2019) — A newly discovered Cd-hyperaccumulator Lantana camara L. · Journal of hazardous materials
14.PMID: 37974306 (2023) — Transcriptome analysis of Lantana camara flower petals reveals candidate anthocyanin biosynthesis genes mediating red flower color development. · G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
15.PMID: 41501645 (2026) — A plant-derived compound activating agent enhances cadmium phytoextraction by Lantana Camara L. · BMC plant biology
16.PMID: 23569765 (2011) — In vivo toxicity study of Lantana camara. · Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine
17.PMID: 25145450 (2015) — Lantana camara Induces Apoptosis by Bcl-2 Family and Caspases Activation. · Pathology oncology research : POR
18.PMID: 37152122 (2023) — Prokaryotic diversity and community structure in the rhizosphere of Lantana weed (Lantana camara L.). · Frontiers in plant science
19.PMID: 35807651 (2022) — Comparative LC-LTQ-MS-MS Analysis of the Leaf Extracts of Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis Growing in Egypt with Insights into Their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Cytotoxic Activities. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
20.PMID: 31762992 (2019) — Improvement of gluten-free bread and cake properties using natural hydrocolloids: A review. · Food science & nutrition
21.PMID: 33366809 (2020) — The complete chloroplast genome of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
22.PMID: 36255020 (2022) — Prospects of Botanical Compounds and Pesticides as Sustainable Management Strategies Against Spodoptera frugiperda. · Journal of economic entomology
23.PMID: 33342292 (2022) — Secondary metabolites from Lantana camara L. flowers extract exhibit in vivo anti-urolithiatic activity in adult Wistar albino rats. · Natural product research
24.PMID: 31978534 (2020) — A lectin with anti-microbial and anti proliferative activities from Lantana camara, a medicinal plant. · Protein expression and purification
25.PMID: 37093445 (2023) — Anticancer potential of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles using Lantana camara leaf extract. · Progress in biomaterials
26.PMID: 32841928 (2020) — Three promising antimycobacterial medicinal plants reviewed as potential sources of drug hit candidates against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. · Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland)
27.PMID: 37283991 (2022) — Impact of invasive Lantana camara on maize and cassava growth in East Usambara, Tanzania. · Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)
28.PMID: 20584600 (2010) — Bioethanol production from Lantana camara (red sage): Pretreatment, saccharification and fermentation. · Bioresource technology
29.PMID: 21331189 (2010) — Antibacterial Activity of Lantana camara Linn and Lantana montevidensis Brig Extracts from Cariri-Ceará, Brazil. · Journal of young pharmacists : JYP
30.PMID: 36326114 (2023) — Phytochemical study of Lantana camara flowers, ecotoxicity, antioxidant, in vitro and in silico acetylcholinesterase: molecular docking, MD, and MM/GBSA calculations. · Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics