Studies of naturally occurring friedelane triterpenoids as insulin sensitizers in the treatment type 2 diabetes mellitus

► A series of friedelane-type triterpenes were isolated from Celastraceae species. ► Two friedelanes directly activated IR tyrosine phosphorylation in hepatocytes. ► They exhibited increased insulin-mediated Akt signalling in hepatocytes. ► Friedelane-type triterpenes have potential therapeutic use in T2DM.