Ipomoea batatas
Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas, commonly known as the sweet potato, is more than just a dietary staple. Beyond its nutritional value, this versatile plant possesses significant medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to support digestive health, boost immunity, and combat inflammation in various cultures.
- Scientific name: Ipomoea batatas
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Ipomoea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ipomoea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ipomoea batatas, is recognized by various regional names across the globe, such as 番薯 in Chinese (zh), Ketéla rambat in Javanese (jv), ཞོག་མངར། in Tibetan (bo), wilec ziemniaczany in Polish (pl), and Batata in Basque (eu).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 番薯 | Wikidata |
| jv | Ketéla rambat | Wikidata |
| bo | ཞོག་མངར། | Wikidata |
| pl | wilec ziemniaczany | Wikidata |
| eu | Batata | Wikidata |
| qu | Kumar | Wikidata |
| ta | வற்றாளை | Wikidata |
| ceb | Kamote | Wikidata |
| ms | ubi keledek | Wikidata |
| to | Kumala | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Ipomoea batatas, exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions. Within Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in both Portugal and Spain. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the country of Greece. Moving toward the African continent, the species is established in Northern Africa. This widespread range includes significant populations located in Algeria and Egypt.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Ipomoea batatas, is a multifaceted medicinal and nutritional resource where various components offer distinct benefits. The underground structures are particularly significant, as the plant develops thickened tubers that serve as its primary energy storage organs. Within these tubers, as well as in the roots, there is a high concentration of complex polysaccharides, which provide essential carbohydrates and contribute to the plant's therapeutic properties. Furthermore, the leaves are highly nutritious and are often consumed as sweet potato leaf in many cultures, providing a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants that complement the dietary value of the edible roots.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sweet potato leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polysaccharides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ipomoea batatas has 114 reported phytochemicals identified across 149 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthocyanins, anthocyanin, carotenoids, flavonoids, simonic acid B.
- Total chemicals
- 114
- Scientific sources
- 149
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthocyanins | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| anthocyanin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| simonic acid B | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| starch | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 1,4-diCQA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,5-diCQA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ipomoea batatas has 9 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic, Antidepressant, Antifibrotic.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifibrotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytoalexin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ipomoea batatas has 43 reported medicinal uses identified across 59 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include obesity, breast cancer, inflammation, oxidative stress, cognitive impairment.
- Total uses
- 43
- Scientific sources
- 59
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| obesity | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cognitive impairment | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salt | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PCa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |