The incidence and mortality of diabetes have increased dramatically in recent decades. New strategies to treat diabetes and its complications with minimal side effects are urgently needed. New monomeric molecules extracted from herbs are an alternative medicine that is being explored as candidate drugs for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Nobiletin, a citrus flavonoid, has recently received increasing attention in scientific research due to its properties in combating diabetes and its complications, while existing research is scattered and unsystematic. This article summarizes recent studies and reviews the potential therapeutic role of nobiletin in preventing and alleviating diabetes and its complications, aiming to provide promising strategies for the clinical management of diabetes and its complications.