Ageratum conyzoides, Imi-isu, for ulcer treatment in Yoruba land, Nigeria: Implications for health information professionals

The ethanolic extract of Imi-esu, Ageratum conyzoides leaf was evaluated for its gastroprotective activity against HCl-ethanol induced gastric lesions in rats. Five groups of male albino rats each consists of 5 animals were used for the experiment. Group I of the rats were pretreated with 5mg/kg saline phosphate buffer as a control group, whereas groups II, III and IV were pretreated with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200mg/kg Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract respectively for 14 days. Group V of the rats were pretreated with Cimentidine (Standard drug) 50 mg/kg as reference. All animals were administered 2mg/kg HCl-ethanol mixture after 30 minsorally and 15 minutes later, the rats were sacrificed. Microscopically with oral administration of HCl-ethanol mixture the rats pretreated with PBS significantly (P<0.05) produced extensive gastric mucosa lesions, whereas animals pretreated with 50mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200mg/kg Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract and cimentidine significantly reduced the formation of gastric lesions compared to the control group. Pretreated rats with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200mg/kg Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract and cimentidine showed significantly marked inhibition lesion histologically, while rats pretreated with A. conyzoides leaf extract and cimentidine also significantly inhibited eroded and ulcerated mucosa epithelial cells layer, necrosis and chronic inflammation within the gastric glands and lamina propria, the submucosal layers appear chronically infiltrated by inflammatory cells induced by HCl-ethanol compared to animals pretreated with PBS.