Serum protein and enzyme levels in rats following administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed).

The The potential hepatotoxic effects following oral administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed) was investigated in albino Wistar rats. Twenty eight (28) adult male Wistar rats were uniformly divided into four groups of seven rats each. Group 1 served as control while groups 2, 3 and 4 were respectively gavaged with 200 mg/kg body weight, 400 mg/kg body weight and 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract daily for 21 days. At the end of treatments, animals were sacrificed, serum and liver tissues obtained for assay of total protein concentration and levels of ALT, AST and ALP. Results showed that treatment of rats with the respective doses of the extract did not significantly alter the serum and liver levels of total protein, ALT, AST and ALP in all test groups. This result suggests that ingestion of the extract may not be toxic at the doses investigated.

The relative incidence of diabetes mellitus in ABO/Rhesus blood groups in South-Eastern Nigeria.

A total of 224 diabetics and 221 non-diabetics (control) were involved in this study, to determine the relative incidence of diabetes mellitus in ABO/Rhesus blood group. The current criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were applied in differentiating the diabetics from the non-diabetics. Blood group, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and random blood sugar (RBG) were determined using standard methods. Type I, Type II and gestational diabetes mellitus were identified in this study. Biodata information were obtained during history taking and from subject hospital case note. The mean age of diabetics was 50.9 +/- 11.4 (SD) with age range of 24-72 years. Mean age for control was 49.21 +/- 9.25 with age range of 24-70 years. There were no significant differences between the mean ages of the two groups. Blood group O(-) and A(+) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher among the diabetics than non diabetics. Blood group O(+) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in diabetics than in the control population. Blood group O(-) and A(+) therefore appears to be more susceptible to diabetes mellitus.

Haematopoietic properties of ethanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed) in albino rats.

The potential haematological effects associated with the administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides was investigated in rats. 27 rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first group had 6 rats and served as control, the remaining 3 experimental groups and had 7 rats each. These later groups were gavaged with the extract of Ageratum conyzoides in concentrations of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively for 30 days at a dose of 0.1 ml/body weight. The control group was gavaged with 0.9% sodium chloride at a dose of 0.1 m1/body weight as placebo. The extract at the doses administered was found to increase in a dose-related fashion PCV and Hb ([P < 0.01] for 200 mg/kg and [P < 0.001] for 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg), RBC ([P < 0.05] for 400 mg/Kg and 500 mg/kg) and marginal increases that were not significant for 200 mg/kg); MCH and MCV ([P < 0.05] and [P < 0.01] for 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively) 200 mg/kg was not significant. MCHC recorded no significant change. WBC recorded marginal increases that were not significant, similarly, the differential white blood cell recorded marginal increases that were not significant, except lymphocytes that recorded significant increase in group 4 [P < 0.05]. Marginal decreases in body weight were also observed, these decreases were however not significant. The result of this study thus indicate haematopoietic potentials of the extract and could possibly remedy anaemia.

The Stimulatory Effect of Intragastric Administration of Crude Aqueous Extract of Ageratum Conyzoides on Gastric Acid Secretion in Rats

The effect of an aqueous leaf of Ageratum conyzoides on gastric acid secretion in rats was investigated in 18 albino rats of Wistar strain. The rats were divided into 2 groups of 9 each. Gastric acid output was determined by continuous perfusion in urethane anaesthetized rats. Control gastric acid output was obtained usign 0.9