At present, the most traditional treatment for diabetes is still oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin therapy. Nontraditional treatment methods include nondrug therapy, unique treatment, emerging treatment, and application of natural hypoglycemic drugs and ingredients. Nondrug therapy, such as exercise, nutrition, diet control, and psychotherapy, has achieved certain effects in some patients but has not attracted enough attention. In some countries, such as China and India, there are some effective and unique treatment methods in use, but these are not widely recognized and promoted. These emerging treatment methods include gene therapy, surgical treatment, and gut microbiota regulation therapy.

Traditional treatment methods have played an extremely important role in the treatment of diabetes but, at the same time, have various defects. Alternative and more effective treatments need to be searched, explored, and studied, particularly in nature, where there are many substances that are conducive to the prevention and treatment of diabetes. For example, in recent years, Amelanchier alnifolia, Dillenia indica, and Chrysophyllum albidum have been found to have significant antidiabetic effects, with further research pending.

Our special issue focuses on nontraditional treatments and applications of diabetes patients and their complications, to improve efficacy, reduce side effects, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the cost of medical care.

We invite authors to contribute review articles as well as original research articles that focus on the topics of nontraditional therapy of diabetes and its complications.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Nondrug therapy of diabetes including diet, food, lifestyle intervention, sports, and psychotherapy
• Unique treatment methods of diabetes in different countries or regions
• Emerging treatment methods of diabetes
• Research on natural hypoglycemic drugs and ingredients
• Nontraditional treatment for diabetic complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation