In Vivo Pharmacological Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Ageratum conyzoides Methanolic Leaf Extract: Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, And Antidiabetic Activities

Abstract

Ageratum conyzoides is an extensively distributed medicinal plant which has been used in various folk medical practices worldwide for pain relief and treatment of inflammatory conditions, fever, and metabolic syndromes. The aim of this study was to scientifically validate the in vivo pharmacological effects of methanolic extract of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides, mainly its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. The analgesic activity was tested on mice using acetic acid induced writhing method. The methanolic extract showed 44.45% inhibition of writhing behavior in mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, while diclofenac sodium caused 82.22% inhibition of writhing. In the anti-inflammatory evaluation using carrageenan induced paw edema method, the extract showed 54.02% inhibition, whereas diclofenac sodium caused 80.39% inhibition. Antidiabetic effect was determined from the measurement of plasma glucose concentrations in diabetic mice at different periods of time. Blood glucose concentration was decreased by 46.03% due to the action of methanolic extract, and metformin decreased the plasma glucose concentration by 81.23%. From the above experiments, it was concluded that the methanolic extract of leaves of Ageratum conyzoides has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties as well as moderate hypoglycemic activity. It might be due to the bioactivity of some phytochemicals. Further studies should be carried out on this plant for better characterization of its phytochemical components and mechanism of action.