Overall, A. cepa and its active components may be regarded as prophylactic or therapeutic agents against diabetes through different mechanisms including anti-oxidant, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory effect, up-regulation of adiponectin receptors, reducing insulin resistance and glucose absorption from intestine, elevation in the liver and muscle glycogen content, increasing insulin secretion and phosphorylation of AMPK, insulin-mimetic actions and GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscles. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is diabetes mellitus.