Abstract:A variety of active ingredients in natural products can inhibit α-amylase and have broad application prospects in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.The domestic research progress on the inhibition of αamylase by active ingredients in natural products were summarized since 2011.These collected informations should be severed as the references and basis for the further study of the natural products inhibitory effect on αamylase.Simultaneously，these subject matters would be benefited to the development of health products or drugs for preventing and treating diabetes from the active ingredients of natural products.