Subacute Antidiabetic Properties of Ageratum Conyzoides Leaves in Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the antidiabetic activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides. Streptozotocin induced hyperglycemia male adult albino rats were used to study the antidiabetic effect of Ageratum conyzoides aqueous extract (at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg respectively). The diabetic rats were housed in metabolic cages, for the whole period of the experiment. Body weight was evaluated at the beginning of the experiment and on days 7, 14, and 21 afterward. Water intake, food intake and urine excretion volume were also estimated. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed and serum insulin concentration, total serum proteins and hepatic glycogen content were estimated. Lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides (TG)) were also assessed. The results showed significant effect of stimulating body weight growth at the doses of 200, 300 mg/kg. The effect of the extract on the food, water intake and water excretion showed a significant decrease in the 200 and 300 mg/kg extract treated groups. In treated rats, both doses (200 and 300 mg/kg) induced a significant reduction in serum glucose and the Area Under the glucose Curve, with concomitant increases in serum insulin and protein levels. Furthermore, A. conyzoides treatment improve lipid profile by increase HDL and reducing triglycerides and LDL at 200 mg/kg. The present study clearly indicates that Ageratum conyzoidesaqueous extract leaves exhibited significant antidiabetic activity and supports its uses in traditional medicine. INTRODUCTION: Ageratum conyzoides is an erect herbaceous annual plant. It was originally introduced as a garden plant, and now widely used in traditional medicine worldwide 1 . Since ancient times, the plant has been utilized for the treatment of various ailments, such as burns and wounds, infectious diseases, arthritis and fever 1 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(4).1378-87 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(4).1378-87 Specifically, it has been shown to have activity against larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti 2 , anti-inflammatory properties with no apparent hepatotoxicity 3 , radio-protective and gastroprotective effect 4, 5 . Isolated and structurally elucidated 5, 6, 7, 8, 3ʹ, 4ʹ, 5ʹ-Heptamethoxy flavone from Ageratum conyzoides, showed low insecticidal activity against D. hyalinata and R. dominica 6 . In Africa A. conyzoides is used to treat fever, rheumatism, headache, colic, wounds caused by burns, dyspepsia, eye problems, uterine disorders and pneumonia, while it is used in traditional medicine for antiasthmatic, antispasmodic and haemostatic effects in East Africa 7 .