To compare the effects of propolis from different origin on the antioxidant function in rats with diabetes mellitus. MethodsDiabetes mellitus was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of STZ dissolved in citrate buffer solution. Fifty induced rats were divided into five groups, 10rats each, according to fasting blood glucose, i.e.model control group, NO.1Chinese propolis, NO.2Chinese propolis, NO.3Chinese propolis and Brazilian propolis. 10normal male Wistar rats were used as the normal control group. The corresponding propolis suspension was daily administrated for 4weeks to propolis groups, and the same volume of solvent was administrated to normal and model control groups. The fasting glucose level was measured for each groups at the end of the intervention. Plasma, liver and muscle antioxidant capacity, contents of reduced glutathione, malonaldehyde, and antioxidant enzyme activities, including glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were measured. ResultsAll the propolis could decrease the serum glucose level of the STZ-induced diabetes mellitus rats and improve the antioxidant function to certain degrees. NO.2Chinese propolis could improve the muscle's antioxidant capacity of diabetes rats, better than the others.NO.3Chinese propolis have a better effect on the DM rats liver's antioxidant capacity and contents of glutathione, and could improve the muscle's contents of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase's activity. The Brazilian propolis can better decrease the contents of serum malonaldehyde, increase the contents of serum GSH, and improve the DM rats liver's SOD activity.ConclusionAll the four propolis could decrease the serum glucose level and increase the antioxidant capacity at different level by different ways.