Laxative effect of ageratum conyzoides

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_________________________________
* Corresponding author: Sathyanathan.V
E-mail address: vsathyanathan22@yahoo.com
Available online at www.ijrpp.com
Print ISSN: 2278 – 2648
Online ISSN: 2278 - 2656 IJRPP | Volume 2 | Issue 1 | 2013 Research article
Pharmacological Evaluation of Laxative effect of Ageratum conyzoides L. on
experimental albino rats
*1
Sathyanathan.V, 1
Satish Gunda, 2
Eswar kumar.A, 3
Shubhrajit Mantry,3
L.R.Thilothama.
*1
Department of Pharmacy, Arvindaksha Educational Society’s Group of Institutions, Balemla
(V), Suryapet, A.P.
2
Palamur University, Mahabubnagar, A.P., India.
3
Kottam Institute of Pharmacy, Itikyala Mandal, Mahabubnagar (Dist), A.P. India.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate scientifically the laxative effect of ethanolic extract of whole plant
of Ageratum conyzoides L.(EEAC) on experimental albino rats. The laxative effect was expressed as the faecal
output and faecal count/frequency at 8h and 16h. EEAC at the doses of 200 mg/kg (P<0.05) and 400 mg/kg
(P<0.01), significantly increased the faecal output in albino rats. The results obtained establish the efficacy and
substantiate the folklore claim as a laxative agent. Further studies are needed to completely understand the
mechanism of laxative effect of Ageratum conyzoides L.
Keywords: Ageratum conyzoides L., Laxative activity, Traditional medicine, Agar-agar, Faecal output.
INTRODUCTION
Ageratum conyzoides Linn. (Family: Asteraceae) is
common in disturbed habitats—along roadsides and
trails, forest margins and openings, clearings,
grasslands, and cultivated areas from sea-level to
mountain. Introduced as an ornamental plant from the
Americas, it is now widely cultivated and is present
throughout the South Pacific and other warm
countries. The plant is highly embryotoxic to
Dysderus flacidis and acts on embryonic
development at an early stage; tannin extracts of
goatweed showed insecticidal activity against flour
beetles. Essential oils extracted have antibiotic
properties. Antinematocidal, anti-inflammatory,
anticoagulant, smooth muscle relaxant, haemostatic,
analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial and hypothermic
activities have been recorded. This plant was
traditionally used to treat constipation, infective
hepatitis, eczema, epilepsy, fresh wounds, dizziness,
diarrhoea, dysentery, sore eyes, fever, headaches,
intestinal worms, filariasis, vomiting and nausea,
wounds and cuts. In Tonga, the juice from leaves is
applied to infected wounds. Juice from moist leaves
is squeezed into sore eyes. Sometimes leaves are
directly applied to aid healing of wounds [1-7].
Therefore, the present study was performed to verify
the laxative effect of Ageratum conyzoides L. on
experimental albino rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant collection
The Plant material of Ageratum conyzoides L. used
for investigation was collected from Tirunelveli
District, in the Month of August 2011. The plant was
International Journal of Research in
Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics

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authenticated by Dr.V.Chelladurai, Research Officer
Botany. C.C.R.A.S., Govt. of India. The voucher
specimen of the plant was deposited at the college for
further reference.
Preparation of extracts
Whole plant was dried in shade and made to dry
powder. It was then passed through the 40 mesh
sieve. A weighed quantity of the powder was
subjected to continuous hot extraction in Soxhlet
Apparatus. The extract was evaporated under reduced
pressure using rotary evaporator until all the solvent
has been removed to give an extract sample.
Percentage yield of ethanolic extract of Ageratum
conyzoides L. was found to be 17.5 % w/w.
Preliminary phytochemical screening
The phytochemical examination of ethanolic extract
of whole plant of Ageratum conyzoides L. was
performed by the standard methods [8].
Animals used
Albino wistar rats (150-200g) of either sex were
obtained and maintained in a well-ventilated room
with 12:12 hour light/dark cycle in polypropylene
cages. The animals were fed with standard pellet feed
(Hindustan Lever Limited., Bangalore) and water
was given ad libitum. Ethical committee clearance
was obtained from IAEC (Institutional Animal Ethics
Committee) of CPCSEA.
Laxative activity
The test was performed according to methods in [9]
and [10] on rats of either sex. Rats fasted for 18 h
were divided into four groups of six animals each.
Group I received 25 ml/kg, normal saline orally
Group II received agar-agar (300 mg/ kg, p.o.) in
saline
Group III and IV received EEAC 200 mg/kg and 400
mg/kg p.o. respectively.
Immediately after dosing, the animals were
separately placed in cages suitable for collection of
faeces. After 8h of drug administration, the faeces
were collected and weighed. Thereafter, food and
water were given to all rats and faecal outputs were
again weighed after a period of 16 h.
Statistical analysis
The data were expressed as mean ± standard error
mean (S.E.M).The Significance of differences among
the groups was assessed using one way ANOVA. The
test was followed by Dunnet’s test P values less than
0.05 were considered as significance.
RESULTS
Phytochemical Screening
Table 1: Phytochemical screening of Ageratum conyzoides L.
S. No Chemical compounds Inference
1 Flavonoids +
2 Terpenoids +
3 Carbohydrates +
4 Tannins +
5 Phenol +
6 Gum +
7 Mucilage +
8 Saponins -
9 Steroids -
+ = Present; - = Absent
The results of preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of whole plant of Ageratum conyzoides
L. revealed that presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, phenols, gum and mucilage and absence
of saponins and steroids (Table 1).

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Laxative activity
Table 2: Laxative effect in terms of Faecal output (gms) of ethanolic extract of
Ageratum conyzoides L. in rats
Groups Treatment / Dose (mg/kg)s
Faecal output (gms)
8h 8-16h
I Control
(Saline 25ml/kg p.o.)
0.78  0.12 1.33  0.05
II Agar-agar
(300 mg/ kg p.o.)
5.32  0.24** 6.35 0.07**
III EEAC
(200 mg/kg p.o.)
3.97  0.024* 4.310.01**
IV EEAC
(400 mg/kg p.o.)
4.27  0.36** 5.38 0.03**
Values are expressed as mean  S.E.M and were analyzed by One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test,
**P<0.01; *P<0.05, as compared to positive control group.
Graph 1- Faecal output 0-8h
C
ontrol(Saline
25m
l/kg
p.o.)
A
garagar(300
m
g/kg
p.o.)
EEA
C
(200
m
g/kg
p.o.)
EEA
C
(400
m
g/kg
p.o.)
0
2
4
6
Control (Saline 25ml/kg p.o.)
Agar agar (300 mg/kg p.o.)
EEAC (200 mg/kg p.o.)
EEAC (400 mg/kg p.o.)
Groups
Faecaloutput
Graph 2 - Faecal output 8-16h
C
ontrol(Saline)
A
gar-agar300
m
g/kgEEA
C
200
m
g/kgEEA
C
400m
g/kg
0
2
4
6
8
Control (Saline)
Agar-agar 300 mg/kg
EEAC 200 mg/kg
EEAC 400mg/kg
Groups
Faecaloutput
Values are expressed as mean  S.E.M and were analyzed by One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test,
**P<0.01; *P<0.05, as compared to positive control group.

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Table 3: Laxative effect in terms Faecal count/frequency of ethanolic extract of Ageratum
conyzoides L. in rats
Groups Treatment / Dose (mg/kg)s
Faecal Frequency/Faecal Count
8h 8-16h
I
Control
(Saline 25ml/kg p.o.)
2.5±0.204 4.833±0.2805
II
Agar-agar
(300 mg/ kg p.o.)
4.333±0.384* 8.833±0.2805*
III
EEAC
(200 mg/kg p.o.)
3.833±0.28* 5.833±0.152*
IV
EEAC
(400 mg/kg p.o.)
4.333±0.384* 5.833±0.28*
Values are expressed as mean  S.E.M and were analyzed by One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test,
*P<0.05 as compared to positive control group.
Graph 3 - Faecal count in 0-8h
C
ontrol(Saline)
agar-agar300
m
g/kgeeac
200
m
g/kgeeac
400
m
g/kg
0
1
2
3
4
5
Control (Saline)
agar-agar 300 mg/kg
eeac 200 mg/kg
eeac 400 mg/kg
Groups
faecalcount
Graph 4 - Faecal count in 8-16h
C
ontrol(S
aline)
A
gar-agar300
m
g/kgEE
A
C
200
m
g/kgEE
A
C
400
m
g/kg
0
2
4
6
8
10
Control (Saline)
Agar-agar 300 mg/kg
EEAC 200 mg/kg
EEAC 400 mg/kg
Groups
Faecalcount
Values are expressed as mean  S.E.M and were analyzed by One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test,
*P<0.05 as compared to positive control group.
In the evaluation of laxative activity, the ethanolic extract was found to produce significant dose dependent activity
at both the tested level of doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, p.o.). The effect was comparable to that of the standard
tested at 400mg/kg, p.o. dose level and the results are presented in Table 2, Table 3 and Graph 1,2, 3 and 4.

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DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
A constipation cause of two types, first one is
obstructed defecation and another one is colonic slow
transit (hypomotility). Constipation is a highly
prevalent after chronic gastrointestinal disorder that
affects adult. Laxatives are widely prescribed drugs
for the treatment of constipation. The EEAC may be
increased the intestinal transit as compared with
control group (Table-2). In this study, EEAC
increased intestinal transit possibly due to its
cholinergic effect. Probably EEAC decreased the
reabsorption of NaCl and water by increasing
intestinal motility. Laxative properties of medicinal
plants were found to be due to tannins, alkaloids,
saponins, flavonoids, sterols and/or terpenoids and
reducing sugars [11-13]. The phytochemical analysis
of EEAC revealed the presence of flavonoids,
terpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, phenols, gum and
mucilage. These constituents may mediate the
laxative property of the EEAC.
In conclusion, the present study has shown that
Ageratum conyzoides L. is a potential therapeutic
option in the effective management of constipation,
thus justifying its widespread use by the local
population for these purposes. Concerted efforts are
being made to fully investigate the mechanisms
involved in the pharmacological activities of
Ageratum conyzoides L. and phytochemical studies
are also in progress to isolate and characterize the
active constituents of Ageratum conyzoides L. The
isolated compound may serve as useful prototypes of
laxative drugs of natural origin possessing the desired
pharmacological activities while lacking certain
untoward effects.
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