Evaluation of Ageratum Houstonianum Whole Plant For Its Anti Diabetic Activity

Abstract

In the present study the hydro alcoholic extract of whole plant of Ageratum houstonianum was investigated for its anti diabetic activity at two dose levels on both alloxan induced diabetic rats and normoglycaemic rats. The blood glucose levels were estimated in both alloxan induced hyperglycaemic and normoglycaemic rats. The acclimatized animals were kept fasting for 24 h with water ad libitum and injected a dose of 120 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate in normal saline intraperitoneally. Test extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg and glibenclamide at 2.5 mg/kg was administered. Blood glucose level was estimated at 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h respectively. Hydro alcoholic extract of A. houstonianum whole plant was found to produce significant (p less than 0.01) reduction in blood glucose concentration between 2-4 hours of administration in both alloxan induced hyper glycaemic and normoglycaemic rats at 400 mg/kg dose. When compared with the reference control glibenclamide, the extract caused noticeable reduction in the blood glucose level in both classes of animals which was demonstrated in above methods. Hence, from the above results it can be concluded that, Ageratum houstonianum whole plant extract showing good anti diabetic activity.