Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in Rats Fed Wholly Compounded Diet Supplemented With Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Leaves (Ipomoea batatas)

Orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a nutrient rich plant known for its high content of beta carotene, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The leaves are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to their potent antioxidant properties. This study investigates the effect of orange fleshed sweet potato supplemented diet on antioxidant enzyme levels in rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats were used for the experiment. The rats were categorized into five (5) groups; group 1, the normal control (0% orange-fleshed sweet potato leaves), Group 2, 3 and 4 received 25%, 50% and 100% of orange-fleshed sweet potato leaves supplemented diet, respectively and group 5 received 100 % pumpkin leaves supplemented diet (Positive control). After feeding for six (6) weeks, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx) levels were evaluated. The results show a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all antioxidant enzymes assayed in rats fed 50% and 100% OFSP when compared to control group. Supplemented orange fleshed sweet potato leaves in vivo study has been shown to boost the levels of antioxidant enzymes and ameliorate the effect of oxidative stress, which is the basis of most diseases.