This study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidants property in the methanolic root extract of Salacia chinensis in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The methanolic root extract of S. chinensis was administered orally at a dose of 250-mg/kg weight/day (28 days) to STZ-induced diabetic rats. The extract treated diabetic rats were significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and increased the hemoglobin level. Diabetic rats treated with extract were showed decrease levels of lipid peroxidant and hydroperoxides as compared to diabetic rats. The level of reduced glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase were significantly increased in liver and kidney tissues of diabetic treated rats. These findings demonstrated that methanolic root extract of S. chinensis possess free radical scavenging activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

