Igunnu, AdedoyinOmotehinse, A.David, O. S.Ogunsola, S.Oyegoke, R. A.2020-05-222020-05-2220190794-0378http://dx.doi.org/10.19240/njpas.2019.A07http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3960Introduction: Valproic acid (VPA) has been demonstrated to attenuate inflammatory responses which are associated with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. The hypoglycemic, antilipidemic and antioxidant effects of VPA has been reported in animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Objective: This study investigated the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of VPA in type 2 diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats with high-fat diet and 35 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin. Non-diabetic female Wistar rats were treated with water (control) while the diabetic female Wistar rats were treated with water, varying doses of VPA (100, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight) and metformin (100 mg/kg body weight) for two weeks. Results: VPA or metformin normalised the elevated fasting blood glucose level and percentage glycosylated haemoglobin, without affecting plasma insulin of the diabetic rats. Treatment with VPA or metformin normalised the reduced hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity of the diabetic rats. VPA or metformin increased or normalised the reduced activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione concentration in both liver and serum but normalised the elevated level of malondialdehyde in the serum of the diabetic rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that VPA displays anti-diabetic and pro-antioxidant effects in type 2 diabetic rats.enValproic acidanti-diabeticantioxidanttype 2 diabetesArticle