Objective: To investigate the hypoglycemic effects of Averrhoa carambola root extract (YTG) in diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Method: Diabetic mice were induced by intravenous injection of STZ. Mice were divided into the normal group

the model group

the metformin group

the high-

medium-and low-dose YTG groups (1.2

0.6

0.3 g · kg-1 · d-1) of 10 mice each. Drugs were intragastrically administered to mice for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined at the 2nd and 4th week. After 4 weeks

oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

liver glycogen

activities of hexokinase (HK)

pyruvate kinase (PK)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Result: Compared with normal group

FBG

the area under curve of blood glucose

and MDA content increased significantly

the liver glycogen content and the activity of HK

PK

SOD

and GSH-Px decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.01).Compared with the model group

FBG

the area under curve of blood glucose

and MDA content decreased significantly

while the liver glycogen content and the activity of HK

PK

SOD

and GSH-Px increased significantly in YTG group (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: YTG could reduce the blood glucose level of diabetic mice

improve the glucose tolerance. Its mechanism may be related to enhancing the activities of HK and PK and improving the liver antioxidant ability.