Effects of yacon ( Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp and Ende) roots in diabetic rats.

HABIB N.; GENTA S.B.; BAZÁN C.; SÁNCHEZ S.S.

Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina

Congreso; XLIV Annual Meeting of the Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SAIB); 2008

SAIB

Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by abnormalities in carbohydrates and lipids metabolism. In addition to synthetic drugs, several medicinal plants are actually used for their treatment, without proper scientific validation. Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp. & Ende] H. Robinson (yacon) is a plant originating from South America. Its roots contain low polymerization degree oligosaccharides (FOS) as the main storage saccharides. Several studies have demonstrated that fructans may affect the carbohydrates and lipids metabolism with healthy effects. In this study we examined the effects of 2 month oral administration of yacon roots in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The treatment induced progressive weight loss associated with an important reduction of intraabdominal fat. Yacon supplement had no hypoglycemic effects, but total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triacylglycerol plasma levels showed positive modifications attributable to yacon administration. Not significantly variation in serum insulin levels was observed, however, by immunocytochemical studies (anti- insulin, anti- proliferate anti- H3 antibodies) and morphometric studies revealed an increase in pancreatic isolates. These results could be attributed to the high content of FOS in yacon roots. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the mechanisms involved.