Abstract: To investigate hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) on diabetic mice, the diabetic model were induced by peritoneal injection of alloxan. Then the diabetic mice were divided into model control group, glibenclamide treated group, three GSPE treated groups of different dose (50, 100, 150 mg/kg), and normal control group was another one. The drugs were chronically administrated to diabetic mice once a day for 21 days. Body weights, MDA levels, SOD activity, insulin levels in serum, fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance were determined as main indexes. The hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of GSPE in different dose were studied. The results showed that body weights of diabetic mice increased, and fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance levels of diabetic mice in GSPE group of high dose significantly decreased (P<0.01); and MDA levels of diabetic mice decreased, and SOD activities were increased. We concluded that GSPE could significantly decrease blood glucose level, and the mechanism might be related to increase of insulin level and antioxidant activity of diabetic mice.

Key words: grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts, alloxan, glucose tolerance, hypoglycemic mechanism