Dietary triterpenes in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: To date

At present, the importance of triterpenes in food and pharmaceutical industries is mainly based on their potential application in health food and medicine, particularly those commonly used in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. The purpose of this study is to review potential dietary triterpene in the treatment of diabetes and to identify the relationship of the structure and its activity of these compounds with their effective mechanisms. We summarized the latest developments of natural dietary triterpene and terpene-rich material, and discussed their underlying molecular mechanisms of anti-diabetic potential. We also suggested a better evaluation of the pharmacological profile of triterpenes and their derivate with a clear-cut choice of possible human pathologies.