Antioxidant and Anti‑inflammatory Roles of Yacon Leaf Extract (Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp.] H. Rob.) Mitigated Diabetes in a Rat Model

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), which is characterized by hyperglycemia, has a high prevalence and requires a serious treatment. Yacon is promoted as an antidiabetic. Aim: This study examined the antidiabetic potential of yacon leaf extract (YLE, Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp.] H. Rob.). Materials and Methods: YLE compounds were analyzed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. YLE was administered orally (150, 300, and 450 mg/kg BW) to Wistar rats induced with alloxan for 21 days. Serum glucose and insulin as well as pancreatic catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured using colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Pancreatic histopathological analysis was done using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX-1). Results: YLE contained apigenin, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and coumaric acid. YLE decreased serum glucose and increased serum insulin levels, increased pancreatic CAT, and decreased pancreatic MDA levels. The YLE repaired Langerhans damage. It decreased TNF-α and IL-1β and increased PDX-1. All effects were in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: YLE ameliorated DM by mitigating pancreatic inflammation and stimulating blood glucose control.