Objective: To examine the potential effect of Averrhoa carambola root (Yaotaogen

YTG) extract on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats. Method: Male Wistar rats fed a high glucose and hyperlipid diet for 4 weeks. Then diabetes mellitus model was induced by a single injection of STZ. Diabetes mellitus rats were divided into the metformin group

the model group

the high-

medium-

low-dose YTG extract groups (0.6

0.3

0.15 g·kg-1·d-1). Another 8 rats were assigned to the normal group. After 4 weeks

the levels of fasting blood-glucose (FBG)

body weight (BW)

triglyceride (TG)

low density lipoprotein (LDLC)

total cholesterol (TC)

creatine kinase (CK)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB)

lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)

hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH)

malondialdehyde (MDA)

and the vitality of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) were measured. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of myocardial tissue was conducted. Result: Compared to the normal group

the levels of FBG

CK

AST

CK-MB

LDH

HBDH

and MDA increased

BW and the vitality of T-SOD decreased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared to the model group

the levels of FBG

TG

LDLC

TC

CK

AST

CK-MB

LDH

HBDH and MDA decreased

BW and the vitality of T-SOD increased in all doses of YTG groups (P<0.05). Moreover

YTG could improve cell hypertrophy deformation and interstitial fibrosis apparently. Conclusion: YTG extract has a beneficial effect on heart function by relieving the heart damage in diabetic cardiomyopathy. The mechanism may be related to removing the free radicals.