Coptis chinensis and the brain homogenate of rat were mixed and incubated to investigate the effects of Coptis on lipid peroxidation. The results showed that the malondialdehyde product of rat brain homogenate inhibited by 5% Coptis was significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.001). On the basis of the above-mentioned results

the effect of Coptis on lipid peroxidation and diabetes in rats induced by alloxan was investigated. The results showed: (1) The malondialdehyde product of both the pancreas and liver homogenate in the Coptis (test) group was significantly less than that in blank control and the alloxan (control) group (P<0.01

P<0.05). (2) Superoxide dismutases in erythrocytes activity was the same for all groups (P>0.50). (3) The blood catalase activity in the control group markedly decreased compared with the blank control group (P<0.05)

but no significant change between the test and control group (P>0.05) occurred. (4) The value of serum glucose in the control group was significantly increased compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). A decrease in the value of serum glucose in the test group compared with the control group occurred

but with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).