Bali Medical Journal (Bali Med. J) 2014, Volume 3, Number 1: 41-44 P-ISSN.2089-1180, E-ISSN.2302-2914 www.balimedicaljournal.com or www.ojs.unud.ac.id or www.balimedicaljournal.org 41 BLOOD ANTHOCYANIN LEVELS OF HEALTHY AND DIABETIC RATS AFTER FEED WITH A SINGLE DOSE OF PURPLE SWEET POTATO TUBERS AQUEOUS EXTRACT Sutirta-Yasa, I W. P., and Jawi, I. M. Department of Clinical Pathology and Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine Udayana University, Bali-Indonesia Background: Aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber shown to decrease the blood glucose levels and has antioxidant properties in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The purpose of this study is to prove that an increase in anthocyanin levels in the blood of rats after administration of aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tubers in healthy and diabetic rats. Methods: This is an experimental study with randomized post-test only control group design. The subject of experiments were 72 rats, divided into two major groups, namely diabetic rats (treatment group 36 rats) and control group (36 healthy rats). Each major group was divided into 6 small groups each 6 rats. The control group was given aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber with a dose of 4 ml single dose. The diabetic group were given streptozotocin and followed by aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber 4 ml single dose. Observed variables include: blood glucose levels to define diabetes. To determine the levels of anthocyanin, the blood were taken and the level of anthocyanin were examination by HPLC method, in healthy and diabetic rats after 30 min, 1 hours, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours and 16 hours of giving single dose of aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tubers. Results: The results showed an increase in blood sugar levels were significant (p < 0.05) in group given streptozotocin compared to control. Anthocyanin levels in the blood of two groups were significantly different from 30 min after administration of the extract to 8 hours after administration of the extract (p < 0.05). Higher anthocyanin levels (p < 0.05) was observed in control group (healthy rats) compared to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Peak levels of anthocyanin in blood were achieved after 2 hours of feeding. Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is the absorption of anthocyanin in aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber better in healthy rats compared to diabetic rats. The peak levels of anthocyanin was reached after 2 hours of aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tubers single dose consumption either in healthy rats and in diabetic rats. Keywords: blood, glucose, anthocyanin, rats, diabetic. INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a health problem in almost all countries around the world, including Indonesia. Hyperglycemia that occurs in diabetic patients will increase the formation of advanced glycation end products/AGEs resulting in oxidative stress. 1,2 Several studies have shown that administration of antioxidants in diabetic patients can overcome macrovascular, microvascular complications, cope tissue damage due to oxidative stress. 1,3 Further research proved that oxidative stress can be prevented by various types of food, because micronutrient which is phytochemical group of various food ingredients, derived from Address correspondence to: I W. P. Sutirta Yasa Department of Clinical Pathology Faculty of Medicine Udayana University, Bali-Indonesia E-mail: psutirtayasa@yahoo.com plants have a protective effect against oxidative stress. 4-6 There are various types of natural antioxidants derived from plants belonging to flavonoids, one of which is the pigment anthocyanin, which the pharmacokinetic profiles mostly unknown. 7 Purple sweet potato in Bali have been studied and relatively has high levels of anthocyanin, 8 and has antioxidant effects on the blood and various organs in oxidative stress of mice. 9,10 Aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber can maintain blood sugar levels and increase the total antioxidant in rats given high doses of glucose load. 11 Anthocyanins in addition with antioxidant properties also have blood sugar lowering effect as anthocyanin can improve insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells. 7,12 Study in the year of 2012