Aqueous Extract of Ipomoea batatas Reduces Food Intake in Male Wistar Rats: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND Food intake is regulated by the complex interaction of psychological and physiological events associated with ingestion. Food that increases short-term satiety decreases the amount of energy ingested subsequently and thus could potentially help in weight management in the long run. Potato, a common starchy tuber in our environment is believed to contain substances that can help maintain and increases short-term satiety. AIM This study was conducted to determine the effect of the aqueous extract of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [IB]) on food intake in male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sweet potato tubers were chopped into small pieces and homogenized in distilled water for 30 s. Homogenate was filtered through muslin cloth and then centrifuged at 120 rpm for 20 min. For use, the residue was evaporated to dryness. The dried extract was reconstituted in freshly prepared normal saline for administration to test animals. The 20 acclimatized male Wistar rats weighing 170-180 g were used for this study. The animals were randomly assigned into four groups of five rats each. Group 1 served as the control and was fed with 0.3 ml of normal saline while Groups 2-4 were fed with IB extract. RESULTS The results showed that in the extract-treated groups, the food intake was significantly reduced at P < 0.01 in a dose dependent manner when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION Consumption of IB caused a reduction in food intake probably by reducing appetite and increasing satiety.