ABSTRACT
Ageratum conyzoides L. (Compositae) is found in many parts of Kenya. The plant is traditionally used for its antispasmodic, haemostatic, antiasthmatic, brain disorders and insecticide activities and for the treatment of wounds and Staphylococcus aureus infections. To evaluate the cerebroprotective effect of Petroleum ether extract of whole plant of Ageratum conyzoides Linn. (EAC) against the global model of ischemia in rats. In the present study, the animals were pre-treated with EAC for a period of 1week (250 and 500 mg/kg) p.o. The animals were anaesthetized with thiopentone sodium (45mg/kg) and stroke was induced by Bilateral Carotid Artery Occlusion (BCAO) for defined period with aneurism clamps placed on both arteries and later (10 minutes) clamps were removed to allow reperfusion and animals were then returned to their cages. After 24 hours of reperfusion, the animal behaviors were evaluated by various methods such as behaviour pattern, Juvenile recognition, Motor activity, rotar rod test, Morris water maze test in stroke induced animals. The treatment was continued for another week after surgery with EAC. The present studies suggest that, there was a decrease in the escape latency in water maze in stroke induced (negative control) group. The group treated with 250mg/kg and 500 mg/kg EAC showed significant (P<0.01) improvement in the behaviour pattern, and spatial learning, which was confirmed in trial sessions in water maze test when compared with the negative control group. In conclusion, Petroleum ether extract of whole plant of Ageratum conyzoides Linn. produced cerebroprotective effects in global cerebral ischemia as evident from reduction in behavioral score, hyper locomotion and neuronal damage.
 

Keywords: Whole plant of Ageratum conyzoides Linn., Bilateral Carotid Artery Occlusion, Cerebral ischemia.