In Zucker fa/fa rats, treatment with SW significantly reduced serum glucose, serum cholesterol, TG, and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels and lowered serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), MMP-3, and serum urea levels; it also had a significant protective effect against diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications, such as atherosclerosis and nephropathy [70]. This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and atherosclerosis.