Effects of panax quinquefolium on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: role of C-peptide, nitric oxide and oxidative stress.

Background: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are at high risk for vascular disorders as hypertension and nephropathy. Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines and is reported to have a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological applications for antioxidant and vasorelaxation although the mechanism is not clear. This study, aimed to evaluate hypoglycemic, antioxidant and vasodilator effects of Panax quinquefolium aqueous ginseng extract (AGE) against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in male rats.