2020, Vol. 8, Issue 3, Part A

author(s)
Chinenye A Mere, Jonathan C Ifemeje, Kizito I Amaefule and Andrew C Nwaka

abstract
Aims: Antiulcereogenic effect of methanol extract of Ageratum conyzoides was evaluated in indomethacin- induced gastric ulceration in male albino rats. Methods: The ground plant leaves were macerated to prepare a methanol extract. Twenty male albino rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. The extract was administered orally at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for the experimental groups. Distilled water (2 ml/kg) and cimetidine (32 mg/kg) were administered orally to the control and reference groups respectively. The extract treatments were carried out 60 minutes before oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg) for ulcereogenic inducement. The rats were sacrificed after 8 hours. Results: Rats pre- treated with extracts of A. conyzoides showed non-significant (P > 0.05) inhibition of gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin, however, pre- treatment with Cimetidine (reference drug) produced higher ulcer protection when compared with the extract. The rats pre-treated with 200 mg/kg. b.w of the extract showed higher ulcer inhibition than those pre-treated with 100 and 400 mg/kg b.w of the extract respectively, signifying non dose dependency. Conclusion: A. conyzoides, a common weed, has some properties that can protect from ulcer induced by indomethacin. This suggests, it could be an easy source for antiulcer remedy.