Comparative In vitro Antioxidant and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme Activities of the Leaf and Flower of Billy Goat weed (Ageratum conyzoides ) L

Background The Nigerian flora is rich in several plants composed of several phytochemical substances with diverse bioactivities including those showing natural hypoglycemic properties with minimal side effects. The high cost of synthetic drugs for the management of diabetes, a global challenge, warrants research into affordable natural alternative remedies. The Billy Goat weed ( Ageratum conyzoides ) L. plant has been recognized in folklore for its numerous medicinal values especially its hypoglycemic activities. Hence, this study aims to compare the anti-diabetic potentials of the Billy Goat weed ( Ageratum conyzoides ) L. leaf and flower, as regards their carbohydrate and phytochemical compositions, the inhibitory effects on key carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes and free radical scavenging activities. Results The leaf showed significant higher (p< 0.05) concentration of carbohydrates and total starch than the leaf. The glycemic indices (GI) values for both leaf and flower were low, indicating a minimal impact on blood sugar levels. The amylose contents were moderate and there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the amylose: amylopectin ratio of both the leaf and flower. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed that the leaf extract showed alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities ranging from 16.86-43.18% and 23.52-41.37%, respectively, while the flower extract demonstrated superior inhibition with ranges of 36.13-46.50% against alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase 23.82-42.44%. Furthermore, the leaf extract exhibited ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values between 13.20-47.33%, and DPPH radical scavenging activity from 21.45-45.71%. In contrast, the flower extract had FRAP values ranging from 17.10-40.04% and DPPH values of 12.71-40.08%. Conclusions Overall, these findings highlight the therapeutic potentials of the Ageratum conyzoides plant parts especially the leaf, holding promise for the possible use of the plant as a functional component of diabetics’ diets.