Anti-diabetic activity of Ipomoea batatas leaves extract: Effects on hepatic enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder of man, whose devastating effect is increasing by the day and severity almost at epidemic level. This study was carried out to investigate the anti-diabetic activity of Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) leaves extract and its effect on hepatic enzymes, total protein and albumin in alloxan induced diabetic rats. A total of twenty animals was divided into four experimental groups consisting of five animals each. The groups included a positive control, negative control, diabetic-treated Ipomoea batatas and Diabetic-treated tolbutamide for 14 days. All were fed normal diet ad libitum. After the treatment a significant reduction was observed in fasting serum glucose levels in the treated diabetics’ rats. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction of feed and water intakes by the animals after the treatment with Ipomoea batatas and tolbutamide. Treatment also improved the weight gain compared to untreated diabetic rats. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the diabetes untreated is significantly higher compared to that normal and treated animal and others treated with extract and tolbutamide. A Similar trend was observed in the Aspartate transaminase and Alanine transaminase activity, respectively, the reversed was observed in the albumin and total protein level, respectively. Hence, the result shows that the extract is not toxic and possesses anti-diabetic properties.