EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ACUTE TOXICITY OF SWEET POTATO LEAF MACERATE (IPOMOEA BATATAS) ON FEMALE RATS

In Ivory Coast, the leaves of Ipomoea batatas are consumed like spinach without any prior study of toxicity. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity of Ipomoea batatas leaf macerate on female rats. Thus, the phytochemical screening, the acute oral toxicity test of the leaf macerate of this plant was carried out on female rats. The results show that Ipomoea batatas leaves contain sterols and polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponosides. The study also reveals that the macerate of I. batatas leaves is not toxic orally. The rats showed no signs of toxicity. The weight of vital organs of female rats treated with the macerate showed no significant difference from that of control female rats. Concerning the reproductive organs, a significant increase in the weight of the ovary was observed in females’ rats treated with the extract compared to control rats. The study revealed a decrease in the level of white blood cells in the test female rats. At level of biochemical parameters, a significant decrease in AST and ALT levels was observed in rats treated with the extract. The histopathological study carried out on the heart, liver, spleen and kidney after 14 days of observation showed no damage to the vital and reproductive organs. However, the leaves of Ipomoea batatas could have an impact on the level of red blood cells and VGM by lowering them if they are used in high concentration. The leaves could also have a very positive impact on fertility by increasing the weight of the ovaries.