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Efficacy of Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) on Diabetes Control in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects Treated With Diet

¹ Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
² Via Livio 14, Chiasso, Switzerland
³ Metabolic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, ISIB, National Research Council, CNR, Padova, Italy

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Bernhard Ludvik, MD, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Vienna Medical School, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. E-mail: bernhard.ludvik{at}akh-wien.ac.at

OBJECTIVE—To investigate the tolerability, efficacy, and mode of action of Caiapo, an extract of white sweet potatoes, on metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 61 type 2 diabetic patients treated by diet were given 4 g Caiapo (n = 30; mean age 55.2 ± 2.1 years; BMI 28.0 ± 0.4 kg/m²) or placebo (n = 31; mean age 55.6 ± 1.5 years; BMI 27.6 ± 0.3 kg/m²) once daily for 12 weeks. Each subject underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 months to assess 2-h glucose levels. Additionally, fasting blood glucose, HbA_1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured.

RESULTS—After treatment with Caiapo, HbA_1c decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from 7.21 ± 0.15 to 6.68 ± 0.14%, whereas it remained unchanged (P = 0.23) in subjects given placebo (7.04 ± 0.17 vs. 7.10 ± 0.19%). Fasting blood glucose levels decreased (P < 0.001) in the Caiapo group (143.7 ± 1.9 vs. 128.5 ± 1.7 mg/dl) and did not change in the placebo group (144.3 ± 1.9 vs. 138.2 ± 2.1 mg/dl; P = 0.052). A decrease in body weight was observed in both the placebo group (P = 0.0027) and in the Caiapo group (P < 0.0001), probably due to a better- controlled lifestyle. In the Caiapo group, body weight was related to the improvement in glucose control (r = 0.618; P < 0.0002). Two-hour glucose levels were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in the Caiapo group (193.3 ± 10.4 vs. 162.8 ± 8.2 mg/dl) compared with the placebo group (191.7 ± 9.2 vs. 181.0 ± 7.1 mg/dl). Mean cholesterol at the end of the treatment was significantly lower in the Caiapo group (214.6 ± 11.2 mg/dl) than in the placebo group (248.7 ± 11.2 mg/dl; P < 0.05). No significant changes in triglyceride levels or blood pressure were observed, and Caiapo was well tolerated without significant adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS—This study confirms the beneficial effects of Caiapo on plasma glucose as well as cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. For the first time, the long-term efficacy of Caiapo on glucose control was demonstrated by the observed decrease in HbA_1c. Thus, the neutraceutical Caiapo seems to be a useful agent in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Abbreviations: OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test

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