Abstract: Pancreatic β cells, the only cells in the body that can synthesize and secrete insulin, can be damaged by a variety of pathological factors. Increasing attention has been paid to the studies of protecting pancreatic β cells in the treatment of diabetes. In this review, we highlight the studies that focus on enhancement of islet β cell function, reduction of islet β cell apoptosis, increase of islet β cell number and induction of islet β cell differentiation, providing novel targets and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of diabetes.