Abstract

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal herb widely used for several diseases although data are unavailable for diarrhea and diabetes. This study investigated the efficacy of orally administrated ethanol extract of A. conyzoides L. on diarrheal and diabetic rat models. Castor oil induced diarrheal model and gastrointestinal motility test models (barium sulfate milk and charcoal suspension) of albino rats were undertaken to measure the antidiarrheal effect. Alloxan induced diabetic model was used for antidiabetic effect. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Tukey's post hoc test for multiple comparisons. The extract reduced the severity of castor oil induced diarrhea with significant (p < 0.01) inhibition of mean defecation numbers 65.89 ± 2.44, 52.1 ± 3.21 and 27.13 ± 4.67% with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g/kg bw of extract, respectively. The number of stools at different hours in treated group was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased as compared to normal control and positive control group (Loperamide, 1.0 mg/kg). Distance of gastrointestinal motility was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced to 38.88 ± 1.06% from control distance 57.25 ± 1.08% in barium sulfate milk model and to 36.34 ± 0.41% from 57.99 ± 0.66% in charcoal suspension model by the highest dose 2.0 g/kg. In a diabetic model, the blood glucose level was decreased 17.6 ± 1.31%, by 2.0 g/kg, which was significant (p < 0.05) compared to that (52.00 ± 1.21%) of positive control (Glimepiride, 4.0 mg/kg). The results demonstrate the marked anti-diarrheal and moderate anti-diabetic role of whole A. conyzoides L. ethanol extract.

Key words: Antidiarrheal, charcoal, antidiabetic, Ageratum conyzoides, barium sulfate.