THE INFLUENCE OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF GOAT WEED (AGERATUM CONNYZOIDES) ON ETHANOL-TREATED ADULT WISTAR RATS

Alcohol has been reported as one of the major predisposing agents of gastric ulcer, liver diseases and renal failures. This study was thus carried out to investigate the influence of the aqueous leaf extract of Agerantum conyzoides on ethanol-treated in adult wistar rats by carrying out biochemical and histological on gastric mucosa, hepatocytes and renal tissue. A total of twenty-four (24) rats weighing between 150-320 g were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 6 rats each. Group A served as control (2 ml of distilled water), Group B, C and D were administered ethanol + 10 mg of Omeprazole (standard anti-ulcer drug), ethanol + 500 mg/kg and ethanol + 250 mg/kg body weight of extract, respectively for twenty-eight (28) day. All the groups were fed ratchow, ad libitum. At the end of administration, the rats were fasted over-night, sacrificed and the organs harvested and whole blood collected into heparinized bottles, centrifuged and plasma collected into plain sample bottles for onward biochemical assays. However, the tissues were immediately fixed in 10 % formal-saline, processed histological and stained with H and E stains. The slides were examined under microscope and Photomicrographs taken. The result showed that the high dose of the aqueous plant extract was more potent in ameliorating the ulcer than the low dose. Keyword: Ageratum conyzoides; Gastric ulcer; Ethanol; Omeprazole