Hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic activity of Ageratum conyzoides L. in rats.

The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic properties of the aqueous extracts of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides L. were evaluated in normoglycemic and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, in order to validate its use in folk medicine. Tested animals were given the aqueous extracts of the plant at the doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg. These doses were tested also on glucose loaded normal male rats (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). Of all the doses, the aqueous extracts at 200 and 300mg/kg showed statistically significant hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic activities. For the oral glucose tolerance test, 100mg/kg dose only attenuated significantly the rise of blood glucose in normal fasted rats. Consequently, these results confirmed the hypoglycaemic properties of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides.