Objective: To explore the effect of compatibility of astragalus flavonoids and kudzu flavonoids on glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetes mellitus(DM)rats. Method: Sixty-six SD male rats were randomly divided into six groups according to blood glucose

which was normal group

model group

positive control group

astragalus flavonoids group

kudzu flavonoids group

and astragalus flavonoids and kudzu flavonoids group

11 rats in each group. In addition to the normal group

the other groups were induced by streptozotocin (STZ

46 mg · kg-1) to make the DM model. At the same time

the drugs were ig given. Astragalus flavonoid group

kudzu flavonoid group

astragalus flavonoid and pueraria flavonoid group were respectively given at dose of 0.039

0.036

0.075 g · kg-1;positive control group was given Jinqi Jiangtang tablets at dose of 1.47 g · kg-1;normal group and model group were given the same amount of distilled water(10 mL · kg-1). After administration for 30 days

the levels of blood glucose

serum cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) were tested

and hepatic insulin (INS)

glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4)

adiponectin (ADPN)

and leptin (LEP) were tested as well. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the single effect of astragalus flavonoids and kudzu flavonoids on glucose and lipid metabolism

and factorial design analysis of variance was used to analyze their interactions as well. Result: In DM rats

the contents of blood glucose

CHO and TG were statistically increase (P<0.05)

and the concentrations of hepatic INS

GLUT4

ADPN and LEP were statistically decreased (P<0.05). Astragalus flavonoids could reduce blood glucose level in rats effectively (P<0.05)

while the effect of kudzu flavonoids was not obvious

and there was no synergistic effect between the two drugs. Both astragalus flavonoids and kudzu flavonoids could reduce serum TG and CHO

but the combined effect was not obvious compared to any single drug

and there were antagonistic effects between the two drugs. Both astragalus flavonoids and kudzu flavonoids could raise the level of hepatic GLUT4(P<0.05).In terms of hepatic INS

GLUT4 and LEP levels

the combined effects were better than any single drug

it showed that there were synergistic effects between the two drugs on them. Conclusion: Compatibility of astragalus flavonoids and kudzu flavonoids could improve the glucose and lipid metabolism by regulating INS

GLUT4 and LEP levels synergistically.