Objective: To investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of Mirabilis jalapa L. roots on glucolipid metabolization in diabetic rats. Method: Type 2 diabetes mellitus rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection 40 mg·kg-1 streptozotocin and a high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet. Rats were divided into following groups: normal group

model group

ethanolic extract of M. jalapa roots group (1

2

4 g·kg-1) and rosiglitazone group(4 mg·kg-1). After 8-weeks treatment

fasting blood glucose(FBG)

hemoglobin(HbAlC)

total cholesterol(TC)

triglyceride(TG)

serum insulin (FINS) levels and glycogen contents in liver and skeletal muscle were assayed. Result: Compared with the normal group

FBG

HbAlC

TC

TG

FINS levels were significantly increased

and insulin sensitivity index(ISI)

glycogen contents in liver and skeletal muscle decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group

the levels of FBG

HbAlC

TC

TG

FINS decreased significantly

and ISI

glycogen contents in liver and skeletal muscle increased significantly in the ethanolic extract of M. jalapa roots group(2

4 g·kg-1)(P<0.01). Conclusion: ethanolic extract of M. jalapa roots possesses both potential hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects on diabetes.