Evaluation of Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Potentials of Sweet Potato on a Wistar Albino Rat

The lipidemic effect of methanol extract of Ipomoea batatas was evaluated in this study. A total of 18 adult female wistar albino rats were purchased from the Veterinary Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and acclimatized for a period of 2 weeks with Vital growers mash feed and water administered ad libitum. The animals were then grouped into 6 groups (n=3). Group 1 served as control while group 2 was administered gilbenclamide. Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were administered 1000 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the extract daily. The administration was done for a period of 7 days and the animals were sacrificed, blood collected and serum collected for laboratory analysis. The result of analysis shows a significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood sugar level in the extract – treated groups when compared with the normal control. The lipid profile test also show a significant (p<0.05) decrease in VLDL and TAG in the treated group when compared with the normal control. This work shows that I. batatas is a good anti-lipidemic plant and will also serve as a good means of diabetes management.