Type II diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia arising from defective insulin signaling. Several synthetic drugs are being used for diabetes treatment, but they have adverse effects. So as an alternative approach, compounds from plants with lesser/no side effects and comparatively cheaper are gaining momentum. Terpenes comprise a class of diversified phytochemicals, which have beneficial effects and important functions in plants. They have shown a series of biological properties that health­promoting conduct in humans. Besides, a lot of terpenes have also been reported to be much less toxic as compared to synthetic compounds. Diabetic people could be benefited from terpenes obtained either from the diet or from plant-derived herbal medicines. Due to the natural origin of terpenes, they are supposed to be a safe and promising agent in eliminating the causes and effects of diabetes. This paper reviews the research reports of terpenes as their antidiabetic potential, mechanistic action, preclinical profile, shortcomings, and prospect in the effective management of diabetes.

II型糖尿病是一种代谢紊乱，其特征是胰岛素信号缺陷引起的高血糖症。几种合成药物正在用于糖尿病治疗，但它们有不良作用。因此，作为一种替代方法，来自植物的具有较少/无副作用和相对便宜的化合物的势头正在增强。萜烯包括一类多样化的植物化学物质，在植物中具有有益的作用和重要的功能。他们显示出一系列促进人类健康的生物学特性。此外，据报道许多萜烯与合成化合物相比毒性低得多。从饮食或植物来源的草药中获得的萜烯可能会使糖尿病患者受益。由于萜烯的天然来源，它们被认为是消除糖尿病的起因和作用的安全和有前途的药物。本文综述了萜烯类化合物的研究潜力，包括其抗糖尿病潜力，作用机理，临床前概况，缺点以及在糖尿病有效治疗中的前景。