Gastroprotective and Molecular Docking Evaluation of Ageratum conyzoides Juice Extract in Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulceration

Peptic ulcer is a multifactorial and debilitating gastrointestinal disorder affecting about 10 million people worldwide. The effectiveness of many anti-ulcer drugs is often limited by adverse effects, thereby making the need for safer, natural alternatives necessary. In this study, experimental rats were orally gavaged for 14 days with 1.25, 2.5, or 5.5 mg/kg body weight of lyophilized goat weed (Ageratum conyzoides) juice extract (ACJE). Gastric ulceration was induced in fasted animals by oral administration of ethanol (96%, 5 mL/kg). Animals were subsequently euthanized to evaluate the ulcer index, stomach histology, and biochemical markers of toxicity and oxidative stress. Untreated, induced rats had significantly (p < 0.001) higher ulcer scores (9-fold) and gastric juice secretion (1.5-fold), as well as lower gastric juice pH (1.5-fold). These effects were markedly reversed by ACJE pretreatment. Rats administered 2.5 mg/kg ACJE demonstrated similar protective benefits to those of ranitidine, including significant reductions in ulcer severity, gastric juice volume, and acidity. Furthermore, ulcer-associated dyslipidemia and changes in LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were mitigated in ACJE-pretreated animals. The gastroprotective effect of ACJE was validated by histological findings and the restoration of oxidative stress in rats. In silico analysis revealed that ACJE phytochemicals bind strongly to urease and pepsin, with higher docking scores compared to standard drugs. Overall, ACJE shows promising gastroprotective potential, necessitating more mechanistic research.