Therapeutic Potential of White Sweet Potato Peel in Enhancing Insulin Production and The Proliferation of Beta Cells in Diabetic Rats

Aan Royhan, Rina Susilowati, Sunarti Sunarti

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects approximately 422 million people worldwide, predominantly in low- to middle-income countries, and is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality. The long-term use of conventional antidiabetic drugs may cause adverse effects, prompting interest in natural therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of white sweet potato peel (WSPP) on glycemic control, insulin expression, and pancreatic beta-cell proliferation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with WSPP at doses of 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kgBW/day, and non-diabetic controls. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kgBW). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured at baseline and during treatment. Pancreatic tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry to assess insulin expression, Langerhans islet area, and beta cell proliferation using anti-insulin and anti-PCNA antibodies. WSPP administration resulted in a significant, dose-dependent reduction in FBG levels compared to diabetic controls (p < 0.05). The highest dose (1600 mg/kgBW/day) reduced FBG from approximately 250 mg/dL to 72.22 mg/dL after four weeks (p < 0.01), reaching the normal range. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated significant increases in insulin expression scores, Langerhans islet area, and the percentage of PCNA-positive cells in the 800 and 1600 mg/kgBW/day groups compared to untreated diabetic rats. At the highest dose, these parameters approached those observed in non-diabetic controls, indicating substantial restoration of pancreatic islet structure and function. In conclusion, WSPP improves glycemic control and promotes beta-cell proliferation in diabetic rats, highlighting its potential as a natural, cost-effective therapeutic strategy for diabetes management.

Keywords

Beta cell proliferation; Diabetes mellitus; Fasting blood glucose; Insulin expression; White sweet potato peel

References

Akomolafe, S. F., Ajayi, O. O., Agboola, O. E., & Adewale, O. O. (2025). Comparative evaluation of the antidiabetic potential of three varieties of Ipomoea batatas L. Toxicology Reports, 14. https://doi.org/doi10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.102015

Arisanti, C. I. S., Wirasuta, I. M. A. G., Musfiroh, I., Ikram, E. H. K., & Muchtaridi, M. (2023a). Mechanism of Anti-Diabetic Activity from Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas): A Systematic Review. In Foods (Vol. 12, Issue 14). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142810

Arisanti, C. I. S., Wirasuta, I. M. A. G., Musfiroh, I., Ikram, E. H. K., & Muchtaridi, M. (2023b). Mechanism of Anti-Diabetic Activity from Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas): A Systematic Review. In Foods (Vol. 12, Issue 14). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142810

Babasaheb, S. D., Shekhar, M. C., & Tewari, S. (2019). A review on benefits of sweet potato for the management of diabetes mellitus . Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 530.

Baro, B., Hazarika, D., Hazarika, B., Sarma, U., & Rabha, G. (2023). A Histological Study of Number of Islets of Langerhans in Head, Body and Tail Region of Cadaveric Pancreas among Diabetic and Nondiabetic Assamese People. International Journal of Toxicological and Pharmacological Research , 13(3), 330–339.

Harijanto, E. A., & Dewajanti, A. M. (2017). Optimalisasi Pemberian Streptozotocin Beberapa Dosis terhadap Peningkatan Kadar Gula Darah Tikus Sprague dawley. Jurnal Kedokteran Meditek, 23(63), 12–18.

International Diabetes Federation. (2025, January). Diabetes Facts & figures. International Diabetes Federation.

Islam, S. (2024). Sweetpotatoes [Ipomoea batatas (L.) lam]: the super food of the Next Century? An intensive review on their potential as a sustainable and versatile food source for future generations. In CYTA - Journal of Food (Vol. 22, Issue 1). Taylor and Francis Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2397553

Kinanti, A. P., Lestari, A., Nabilah, Z. M., Maulida, R., Widiastuti, T. C., & Kiromah, N. Z. W. (2023). Uji aktivitas antidiabetes ekstrak etanol daun ganitri (Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb.) pada tikus Wistar jantan yang diinduksi streptozotocin. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Research, 8(1), 139–151.

Kinoshita, A., Nagata, T., Furuya, F., Nishizawa, M., & Mukai, E. (2023). White-skinned sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) acutely suppresses postprandial blood glucose elevation by improving insulin sensitivity in normal rats. Heliyon, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14719

Kurniawan, D. W., [lengkapi semua penulis]. (2022). Pengaruh pemberian kombinasi ekstrak etanol brotowali, sambiloto, meniran, dan kayu manis terhadap histopatologi glomerulus tikus model hiperglikemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Research, 7(3).

Nabila, B. Z., Surya, M. I., Lailaty, I. Q., Damayanti, F., & Nuringtyas, T. R. (2024). Antidiabetic potential and metabolite profile of leaf and stem extract of Castanopsis tungurrut (Blume) A.DC. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Research, 9(1), 105–117.

P2PTM Kemenkes. (2024). Penyakit Diabetes Melitus - Penyakit Tidak Menular Indonesia. Jakarta. Retrieved from https://p2ptm.kemkes.go.id/informasi-p2ptm/penyakit-diabetes-melitus

Pakaya, N., Liputo, G. P., Mustaki, M. F., Oka, M. A., Pandaleke, A., Hinelo, A., & Ishak, M. F. (2022). Pemanfaatan Tanaman Herbal Untuk Pencegahan Penyakit Diabetes Melitus Di Desa Olimoo’o Kecamatan Batudaa Pantai Kabupaten Gorontalo. Gorontalo.

Perkumpulan Endokrinologi Indonesia (PERKENI). (2019). Pedoman Pengelolaan dan Pencegahan Diabetes Melitus Tipe 2 di Indonesia . Jakarta.

Putri, W. N. E., & Astuti, N. M. W. (2023). Potensi Ekstrak Daun Ubi Jalar (Ipomoea batatas L.) sebagai Suplemen Penurun Gula Darah. Prosiding Workshop Dan Seminar Nasional Farmasi, 1, 244–259. https://doi.org/10.24843/WSNF.2022.v01.i01.p20

Rokhmah, N. N., Rustiani, E., & Ambiya, M. N. (2022). Efektivitas Antidiabetes Tablet Poliherbal Pada Model Tikus Diabetik. PROSIDING SERINA, 1(1), 21–30. https://doi.org/10.24912/pserina.v1i1.15384

Shapiro, A. M. J., Thompson, D., Donner, T. W., Bellin, M. D., Hsueh, W., Pettus, J., Wilensky, J., Daniels, M., Wang, R. M., Brandon, E. P., Jaiman, M. S., Kroon, E. J., D’Amour, K. A., & Foyt, H. L. (2021). Insulin expression and C-peptide in type 1 diabetes subjects implanted with stem cell-derived pancreatic endoderm cells in an encapsulation device. Cell Reports Medicine, 2(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100466

Shih, C. K., Chen, C. M., Varga, V., Shih, L. C., Chen, P. R., Lo, S. F., Shyur, L. F., & Li, S. C. (2020). White sweet potato ameliorates hyperglycemia and regenerates pancreatic islets in diabetic mice. Food and Nutrition Research, 64. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v64.3609

Shih, C.-K., Chen, C.-M., Varga, V., Shih, L.-C., Chen, P.-R., Lo, S.-F., Shyur, L.-F., & Li, S.-C. (2020). White sweet potato ameliorates hyperglycemia and regenerates pancreatic islets in diabetic mice. Food & Nutrition Research, 64(0). https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v64.3609

Widiastuti, T. C., Rahayu, T. P., Lestari, A., & Kinanti, A. P. (2023). Uji aktivitas antidiabetes kombinasi ekstrak terstandar daun salam (Syzygium polyanthum Walp.) dan daun ganitri (Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb.) pada tikus putih yang diinduksi streptozotocin. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Research, 8(1), 92–105.

Wijayanti, N. P. P., Hendriati, L., Sahrial, I., Widodo, T., & Kuncorojakti, S. (2023). Efektivitas patch transdermal ekstrak etanol daun insulin (Smallanthus sonchifolius) terhadap kadar glukosa darah dan histopatologi pankreas tikus putih. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Research, 8(2).

World Health Organization. (2024). Diabetes. WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/diabete

Zhang, M., Huang, T. S., & Mu, T. H. (2020). Production and characterisation of antioxidant peptides from sweet potato protein by enzymatic hydrolysis with radio frequency pretreatment. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 55(6), 2352–2358. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.14441

Zini, E., Ferro, S., Lunardi, F., Zanetti, R., Heller, R. S., Coppola, L. M., Guscetti, F., Osto, M., Lutz, T. A., Cavicchioli, L., & Reusch, C. E. (2016). Exocrine Pancreas in Cats With Diabetes Mellitus. Veterinary Pathology, 53(1), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985815603434

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/jpscr.v11i1.94516

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.