BACKGROUND Many synthetic antidiabetic components show toxic and/or mutagenic effects. Hence, attention has been given to naturally occurring antidiabetic components. Identification of effective antidiabetic components from plants origin is an ideal strategy for new drug development. The fresh root, bark, and leaves of Salvadora persica L. (Salvadoraceae) have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide range of medical problems such as cough, asthma, scurvy, piles, rheumatism, leprosy, and gonorrhea disorders. OBJECTIVE The S. persica root extract was investigated for the reduction of the risk of diabetes in diabetic rats. METHODS The hydro-alcoholic root extract, 200 and 400 mg/kg, was fed to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 21 d. Blood serum glucose, lipid profile, body weight, and food intake were monitored at 0, 7, 14, and 21 d after induction of diabetes. RESULTS S. persica hydro-alcoholic root extract was not toxic at doses up to 1200 mg/kg. Significant reduction of blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic root extract after 21 d versus diabetic control and glibenclamide-treated rats. The glibenclamide and root extract-treated group's peak values of blood glucose significantly decreased from 281.50 to 106 mg/dL and 285.50 to 150.25 mg/dL, respectively. Hence, in this study, observations showed that root hydro-alcoholic reduced the blood glucose level in diabetic rats but values did not return to normal controls. CONCLUSIONS The research suggests that the root extract was significantly effective when compared with control and standard in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Therefore, it may be beneficial to diabetic patients.