With an ageing worldwide population, diabetes has become a significant public health problem. Many efforts have been paid towards both understanding its mechanisms and effective therapeutic strategies, but its prevalence is still expanding. Novel agents such as DPP-IV inhibitors represent new possibilities for treating this disease, but their long-term efficacy needs further evaluation. There is an urgent need to explore new strategies to contain the spread of diabetes.

Traditional medicine played a pivotal role in preserving health in the ancient world. Current research suggests that many traditional medicines have definite anti-diabetic effects, such as Danggui Buxue Decoction. A series of active components have been found to possess effects against the development of diabetes, for example, berberine from Coptis chinensis. The development of omics research has supplied further evidence of the effects of traditional medicine on diabetes. Traditional medicine can provide us with novel insights into personalised prediction and intervention of diabetes and its related diseases. However, this field is still largely unexplored.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform to discuss the role of traditional medicine in diabetes, from mechanisms to pathophysiology, from a molecular level to omics research, and any other related issues. Original research and clinical studies, as well as review articles that illustrate the concerned topic, are all welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Pharmacological research on traditional medicine in diabetes
• Active component screening of traditional medicine in diabetes
• Clinical studies of traditional medicine in diabetes
• Omics of traditional medicine in diabetes
• Role of gut microbiota in traditional medicine-treated diabetes
• Integrative applications of traditional medicine and modern medicine in diabetes
• Advances as well as challenges in the use of traditional medicine in diabetes