ABSTRACT

There is a worldwide growing interest in the study of natural products to prevent/alleviate several diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Natural products are compounds derived from the secondary metabolism of plants. Natural products such as terpenes, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids are aimed to protect plants against biotic (herbivores, insects) and abiotic conditions (UV-light, draught, climate, among others). These compounds have been the interest of many studies due to their reported potential to prevent and treat T2DM. As a result of these studies terpenes, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids are reported as potential compounds to inhibit carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, ameliorate insulin resistance, and prevent nonenzymatic glycation, among others. Thus, in this chapter, the authors have summarized recent information (2010-2019) on the antidiabetic potential of terpenes, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids, and their mechanisms of action.