OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Pollen Typhae total flavone (PTF) on glucose and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS: The content of glucose which disappeared from the culture medium after incubation with drugs for 24 hours was determined as glucose consumption of the cells. The activity of cells was detected by XTT method. The transport of glucose was observed by (3)H-glucose uptake method. The efflux of free fatty acid (FFA) from adipocytes was observed by the concentration of FFA in the culture medium. RESULTS: The glucose concentration in culture medium was significantly decreased with a concentration-dependent effect, when PTF concentrations were from 0.025 g/L to 0.4 g/L. The toxic effect on cells appeared while PTF concentration was 0.4 g/L, and the MTT value decreased. PTF also significantly increased glucose transportation in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes as rosiglitazone (ROS) did. At the same time, FFA concentration in culture medium was significantly decreased as compared to the normal control group, while ROS-treated group did not show any difference. CONCLUSION: PTF can increase insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose transportation and consumption in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes as well as decreasing the FFA efflux from the cells.