Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder and is one of the major
leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, the
burden of diabetes has increased almost two-fold in 2014 compared to 1980 in lowand
middle-income countries. Uncontrolled levels of glucose in the blood are because
of improper insulin secretion or insulin action which is associated with abnormalities in
metabolic, genetic and hemodynamic systems. The term cardiovascular disease is used
for all types of disorders associated with heart and blood vessels. Many researchers are
trying to develop new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of diabetes and
cardiovascular disease. Herbal medicines are one of the oldest and alternative
therapeutic treatment options for diabetes and hypertension. Around 1200 traditional
medicinal plants have been used for their beneficial effects on diabetes. These plants
are rich in alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids. Terpenoids
are a diverse category of cyclic compounds obtained naturally from the isoprene unit.
Among all reported natural products, about 60% of compounds are from terpenoids.
More than 40,000 terpenoids are isolated from secondary metabolites of plants. Most of
them are of plant dietary origin. Plants produce terpenoids as a secondary metabolite.
More than hundreds of new terpenoid structures are reported every year for their
activity in many disease conditions like cancer, malaria, inflammation, and a variety of
infectious diseases. Various reports have shown that terpenoids are beneficial in the
treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The chapter is focused on terpenoids
and their role in the treatment and management of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: Arjunolic acid, Cardiovascular diseases, Corosolic acid, Diabetes,
Glycyrrhetinic acid, Ginsenoside, Lupeol, Limonene, Pomolic acid, Terpenoids,
Ursolic acid.
