Objective To investigate the influence of Zhenqing Recipe(ZQR)and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus(LLF)on diabetic rats and its possible mechanism.Methods The model of type 2 diabetic rats was established by feeding a high-sucrose-high-fat diet and injecting a low dose of Streptozotocin in Wistar rats.The model rats were randomly divided into three groups: diabetic model,ZQR-treated,and LLF-treated groups for 8-weeks treatment.The normal Wistar rats were as a normal control group.Results The level of fasting blood glucose in ZQR and LLF groups was decreased compared with model group(P < 0.01,0.05,respectively).Both ZQR and LLF markedly reduced serum triglycerides(P < 0.01,0.05,respectively),and increased the insulin sensitivity index(P < 0.05).Histopathology revealed that ZQR and LLF reduced pancreatic damage.Immunohistochemistry evaluation showed that the percentage of insulin positive cells in pancreatic island was higher than model group(P < 0.01,0.05,respectively).The mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c in pancreas were significantly decreased in ZQR and FLL group(P < 0.01).Conclusion ZQR has therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes,it ameliorates the histopathologlcal changes of pancreas,protects β cells,improves insulin resistance,and attenuates the expression of SREBP-1c.This study also provides the anti-diabetic evidence of FLL even its effects are weaker than ZQR.