Objective: To investigate the effects and related pathways of Zengyetang on lowering blood glucose. Method: The normal mice and alloxan (70 mg ·kg-1)-induced diabetic mice were administrated for 7 d in order to investigate the effects of aquatic extract of Zengyetang (5

10 and 15 mg ·kg-1) on the levels of blood glucose

insulin and oral glucose tolerance. Then we investigated the effects of extract (12.5

25

50

100 μg ·mL-1) on insulin secretion in MIN6 islet cells. Result: After 7 days of administration

the extract could significantly lower blood glucose

and it also could ameliorate the oral glucose tolerance in normal and diabetic mice and improve insulin secretion. Meanwhile

the extract could improve insulin secretion in MIN6 cells with stimulation of 16.7 mmol ·L-1 glucose. Conclusions: The Zengyetang could lower blood glucose and ameliorate the oral glucose tolerance through improving insulin secretion

whose pathways were maybe different from sulphonylurea hypoglycemic drugs.