Complete Sweet Potato information from Drugs.co
Complete Sweet Potato information from Drugs.co
Scientific Name(s): Ipomoea batatas L. Family: Convolvulaceae.
Common Name(s): Sweet potato , caiapo , nyamis (Africa), yam , kumara (New Zealand), camote (southwest United States)
Clinical Overview
Uses of Sweet Potato
Pharmacological investigations on the antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity of sweet potato have been conducted.
Sweet Potato Dosing
Clinical studies of the efficacy of the nutraceutical caiapo, an extract of sweet potato, used a total of 4 capsules daily, with each capsule containing caiapo 168 to 336 mg. Sweet potato is available in powder and capsule (caiapo) forms. Dosage regimens vary, but most commercial manufacturers suggest 2 capsules 30 minutes before meals, up to a total of 6 capsules daily.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any of the chemical components in the plant species.
Pregnancy/Lactation
There are no case reports or clinical studies relevant to pregnancy or lactation. However, women with hypersensitivity reactions to the plant should avoid use.
Sweet Potato Interactions
None well documented.
Sweet Potato Adverse Reactions
Historical and clinical data document no serious adverse reactions. Patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to the plant may develop generalized urticaria, hypotension, and edema of the hands and face. Dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, and a sensation of tickling and tightness in the throat have been documented.
Toxicology
Very little toxicity data are available about the plant.
Botany
The sweet potato plant originated in Central America. Although China is considered the leading producer of sweet potatoes, the plant is widely cultivated and consumed throughout the world. It is a herbaceous perennial vine with alternate heart-shaped, lobed leaves and medium-sized flowers. The root is edible and is often long and tapered. The skin may be red, purple, or brown and white in color. The interior, or flesh, may be white, yellow, orange, or purple. The leaves and shoots sometimes are eaten as greens. 1
History
Sweet potato is the world's sixth largest food crop and is important for the growing populations in Asian and African countries. The plant has been used medicinally in Japan for treating diabetes and other diseases. American Indians used sweet potato to treat thirst and weight loss attributed to diabetes. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Chemistry
There are numerous, extensive phytochemical investigations. Most studies focus on the nutraceutical properties and understanding the physiological functions of sweet potato. Only selective studies will be discussed because of the extent of these investigations.
The root and skin contain most of the studied medicinal components. High levels of polyphenols, such as anthocyanins and phenolic acids (eg, caffeic acid), have been isolated from sweet potato. Chlorogenic, dicaffeoylquinic, and tricaffeoylquinic acids are derivatives of caffeoylquinic acid that protect the root from fungal diseases and have potential cancer chemoprotective effects. The numerous acylated anthocyanins are the major color constituents in the storage roots and are important in the plant's use in diabetes. Sesquiterpenoids include 6-myoporol and ipomeamarone. Structural properties of the anthocyanins important for bioactivity include phenolic esters of the sugar, presence of 2 hydroxyl groups on the aromatic ring, and the presence of an unsaturated alkyl chain in the acylated moiety. 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9
The plant's antioxidant activity is associated with its alpha-tocopherol content, which is the most common form of vitamin E, and comprises 25 mg per 100 g of sweet potato shoots. The 2 storage proteins, sporamins A and B, account for more than 80% of the total protein isolated from the roots of sweet potato. 10 , 11
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