The gastroprotective activity of the ethanol extract of Ageratum conyzoides.

The ethanol extract of Ageratum conyzoides was evaluated for gastroprotection in rats using the Ibuprofen, ethanol and cold restraint stress ulcer models. Efficacy was assessed by determination of mean ulcer size, ulcer number and ulcer index. Oral administration of the ethanol extract at dose levels of 500 and 750 mg/kg significantly protected gastric lesions by 80.59 and 89.33%, respectively, as compared to Misoprostol (74.43%) in the Ibuprofen model; by 97.09 and 99.24%, respectively, in the cold stress model as compared to Famotidine (77.86 and 92.71%) and by 86.58 and 92.29%, respectively, in the alcohol model. The findings suggest that the significant gastroprotective activity could be mediated by its antioxidant activity, Ca(2+) channel blocking and antiserotogenic properties.