Background/ObjectivesWe have previously demonstrated that the natural alkaloid Cepharanthine (Ceph) reduces renal injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced insulin-deficient diabetic rats via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, the hypoglycemic mechanism of Ceph remains unclear. We hypothesize that Ceph reduces blood glucose in STZ-induced insulin-deficient diabetic rats via restoring pancreatic β-cells function and insulin secretion.MethodsDiabetes was induced in male Sprague-Da