Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by increased insulin resistance,impaired insulin secretion and β-cell dysfunction.Flavonoids have a positive impact on T2DM with a multi-target and complex mechanisms.Flavonoids can act on multiple targets and different signaling pathways in pancreatic beta cells,hepatocytes,adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells.In this study,the research progress on the molecular mechanisms of flavonoids from natural plants in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus was reviewed.

Key words: type 2 diabetes mellitus, flavonoids, insulin resistance, anti-diabetic