American Journal of Research Communication www.usa-journals.com Role of zinc in diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress and other human healthy: a review article Alemayehu Toma 1* , Eyasu Makonnen 2 , Getnet Yimer 2 1 Pharmacology unit, school of medicine, Hawassa University, PO Box 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia 2 Pharmacology department, school of medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia *Corresponding Author: Alemayehu Toma Email: alexpharma99@yahoo.com , mobile; +251913259141 P O box 1560, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated 346 million adults being affected in year 2011. The prevalence is expected to double between years 2025–2030. Some of the minerals are the essential part of some of the enzymes for their biological activities. As diabetes mellitus is a disease of metabolic abnormality so minerals as such or as a component of enzymes may be playing a significant role in development and control of diabetes mellitus. Amongst minerals, zinc is involved in the development and control of diabetes mellitus. Zinc has been shown to have an antioxidant potential through the non- enzymatic stabilization of biomembrane and biostructures. A recent finding indicated that there is a direct relationship between low zinc levels, greater body fat content, and insulin resistance. The individuals who were classified as zinc deficient had poorer insulin sensitivity and greater glucose intolerance. Zinc plays multiple roles in the body, affecting numerous chemical messengers that play complex, essential, interconnected biological activities in human beings. Zinc is involved in synthesis, secretion and storage of insulin and has antioxidant activity which makes zinc vital trace element in management of blood glucose level and its associated complication’s. Key words: Zinc, diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, antioxidant effect, oxidative stress {Citation: Alemayehu Toma, Eyasu Makonnen, Getnet Yimer. Role of zinc in diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress and other human healthy: a review article. American Journal of Research Communication, 2013, 1(11): 411-426} www.usa-journals.com , ISSN: 2325-4076. Toma, et al., 2013: Vol 1(11) ajrc.journal@gmail.com 411