Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic potential of the leaves of Ipomoea batatas.Methods: The crude powder, 95% ethanolic, 50% ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Ipomoea batatas leaves were administered to normoglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats in a single dose study. The chloroform, butanol and aqueous fractions of aqueous extract were investigated for their antihyperglycemic on STZ-induced diabetic rats. Multiple dose study of an aqueous fraction was also done in STZ and neonatal STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further, the aqueous fraction was measured against the alpha glucosidase and aldose reductase enzymes, and glucose uptake in L6 myotubes.Results: The aqueous extract showed significant lowering of postprandial hyperglycemia of post sucrose loaded normal rats and significantly declined the blood glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous fraction at a single dose of 100 mg/kg b. w in comparison with chloroform and butanol fractions significantly lowered the blood glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous fraction in a multiple dose study were found to significantly improved the percent glycated hemoglobin (%HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), serum insulin, lipid profile, liver and kidney parameters in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Marked improvement in OGTT and serum insulin levels was also found in neonatal STZ-induced diabetic rats. In vitro study, the aqueous fraction of I. batatas increased glucose uptake in L6 myotubes and inhibits the α-glucosidase and aldose reductase enzymes.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the significant antidiabetic activity of the I. batatas leaves by promoting insulin secretion, alpha glucosidase and aldose reductase enzyme inhibition.Â
