Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Flower, Leaf, Stem and Root of Ageratum conyzoides L on Glucose, Lipid Profile and Liver Markers on Streptozocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Type 2 diabetes is the most recorded form of diabetes. It accounts for about 80% to 90% of all recorded cases of diabetes mellitus. The use of plant medicine is a very common practice from ancient time and it is considered the safer and less expensive therapeutic strategy for managing of various diseases including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to investigate the antidiabetic effect of Ageratum conyzoides as claimed by herbal practitioners and to provide scientific evidence or evidences to back up the claims. Standard procedures were deployed in the aqueous extraction of the different parts (leaf, flower, stem, root and all parts) of the plant. Subsequently, diabetes was induced into albino wistar rats using streptozotocin at 55mg/kg. 40 rats weighing 180g to 240g were divided into eight groups A to H, groups B to H were induced with diabetes. Groups A and B were labelled normal and diabetic controls respectively. C was treated with standard drug (Glibenclamide) at 1000mg/kg, groups D, E, F, G and H were treated with flower, leaf, stem, root and all parts extracts respectively at 2000mg/kg. Treatment in all groups was done for 28 days after which the rats were anesthetize, sacrificed and assayed for lipid profile, enzyme and kidney functions. Significant differences were observed in the weights of the various groups at (p<0.05). After treatment, glucose level of the root, all parts, stem, flower and leaf extracts were statistically significant at (p<0.05). Elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in roots, flower, all parts, stem and leaf while low HDL levels were increase in leaf, flower, root, stem and all parts. Creatinine and urea levels were reduced significantly (p<0.05). Total protein and serum albumin levels increased significantly (<0.05) in the root, leaf, stem, flower and all parts. Total and direct bilirubin levels were reduced significantly after treatment (p<0.05). Also, serum AST, ALT and ALP were reduced significantly in treatment groups. The results recorded indicates that A. conyzoides possess antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic activities at 2000 mg/kg.