Triclosan induces PC12 cells injury is accompanied by inhibition of AKT/mTOR and activation of p38 pathway.

•TCS is cytotoxic to PC12 cells causing a decrease in cell viability and inducing cell membrane damages.•TCS increased mRNA and protein expressions of apoptosis-related gene Bax with no alterations in Bcl-2 in PC12 cells.•TCS increased the generation of reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells; pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine, normalized the effect to control levels.•TCS suppressed the Akt/mTOR pathway in PC12 cells, concomitant with activated the p38 MAPK pathway.