ObjectiveTo study the effect of Tongluo recipe on leptin and insulin in rat model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.MethodsA total of 30 adult male SD rats were equally randomized into the following 3 groups: normal control group, diabetes mellitus group and Tongluo recipe group. SD rats were administered intraperitoneally with STZ(60 mg/kg) to induce the model of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The rats in Tongluo recipe group were administered intragastrically with Tongluo recipe(1.0 g·kg-1·d-1), and the other two groups were administered intragastrically with double distilled water in the same dosage. The body weight, white adipose tissue weight, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, and leptin levels were compared between each group 8 weeks later. The expression of leptin mRNA in white adipose tissue was examined. ResultsCompared with diabetes mellitus group, the body weight, fasting insulin, and leptin were significantly higher (P<0.05 or 0.01) in the Tongluo recipe group, the levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid were significantly lower(P<0.05 or 0.01) in Tongluo recipe group, and the expression of leptin mRNA was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the Tongluo recipe group. ConclusionTongluo recipe may correct the disturbance in the lipid and glucose metabolism by improving the low leptin and insulin levels in diabetic rats.