The experimental study have showed that the Polygonatum officinale All. contains diosgenin and β-sitosterol as active components. Even though many experimental studies were reported, still there are many unknown actions of components from the plant. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of hypoglycemic action of ether extract of Polygonatum officinale. The hypoglycemic effect of the ether extract was tested in hyperglycemic rats induced experimentally. The effect on plasma free fatty acid and the acute toxicity were also examined by using mouse. The hypoglycemic effect of the ether extract was compared with other oral hypoglycemic agents such as chlorpropamide and buformin. The ether extract of Polyonatum officinale showed a marked hypoglycemic effect by 1 hour after oral administration in hyperglycemic rats and rabbits but the ethanol extract did not exhibit the hypoglycemic effect. The hypoglycemic effect of the ether extract was potentiated by chlorpropamide while buformin was weak.