The effects of gypenosides (Gps) on the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG),fasting in- sulin (INS),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride (TG),serum lipid peroxide (LPO) value and serum super- oxide dismutase (SOD) activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats were studied.The levels of FPG、INS、TC、TG and serum LPO value were decreased while serum SOD activity was increased significantly in diabetic rats after four weeks of Gps treatment in comparison with those in control rats.These results suggest that Gps have the effects of decreasing the levels of blood sugar,lipid and possibly scavenging free radicals.