Abstract: To observe the hypoglycemic effect of polysaccharides from sweet potato vines (PSPV) on experimental diabetic mice, mice were divided into different groups. Each group was given PSPV, glybenclamide or normal Saline respectively. Water intake and body weight were recorded daily. The concentrations of serum glucose were measured at the end of experiment twice. The influences of PSPV on the serum glucose of the normal mice were studied too. Results: Symptoms of diabetic mice fed PSPV are alleviated obviously. PSPV can remarkably decrease the serum glucose and water intake of diatetic mice, but increase their body weight. Especially the effect of high dose PSPV is the most remarkable. On the other hand, PSPV has no significant influence on the serum glucose of normal mice. Conclusion: PSPV has significantly hypoglycemic effect on diabetic mice and is worthy to being utilized.

Key words: sweet potato vines, polysaccharides, alloxan, hypoglycemic effect