Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of berberine on type 2 diabetic Chinese hamsters.Methods To establish a type 2 diabetic Chinese hamster model by injection of low-dose STZ intraperitoneally based on high fat and energy diet feeding.The animals were randomly divided into 9 groups,and each group was fed with physiological saline,low dose(50 mg/kg) of Berberine,moderate dose (150 mg/kg) of Berberine,high dose(300 mg/kg) of Berberine,and metformin to treat the type 2 diabetic Chinese hamsters.The curative effect of Berberine was observed and compared.Results Berberine showed obvious glucose-decreasing and lipid-decreasing effect,which had some effect related to its time and dose,and there were the same glucose-decreasing effect as metformin group and mild pharmacological action after treatment in moderate dose Berberine group.Berberine also could enhance the sensitivity to insulin.Conclusion Low-dose STZ injected intraperitoneally combined with high fat and energy diet is an excellent method to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese hamsters.Berberine has significant decreasing effect on blood glucose and lipid level,improves is glucose tolerance and enhances the sensitivity to insulin in type 2 diabetic Chinese hamsters.