Abstract: Germinated brown rice (GBR) is rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid, oryzanol, dietary fiber and other active ingredients, GBR lowered the levels of glucose and lipids and blood sugar levels, reduced body weight in animal models or patients with diabetes. Recently, the preparation and application of GBR received wide attention as a potential functional food. The germination process improved the texture of brown rice, increase the active ingredients and be more acceptable by consumers. This reviews summarized following aspects of GBR, which include procedures of pre-germination, basic ingredients in GBR, and the active components in GBR related to glucose lowering and dynamic changes during pre-germination, the application of GBR in clinical trials for diabetic patients.The knowledge integrated in the review may help to develop GBR as a function food or dietary supplementation for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.