Аннотация:The aim of this study was to rapidly screen potential hypoglycaemic strain by α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro, then explored the antidiabetic effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM0236 in vivo. The cell‐free supernatant of Lact. plantarum CCFM0236 significantly inhibited α‐glucosidase activity in vitro. Therefore, the effects of Lact. plantarum CCFM0236, with potential hypoglycaemia activity, on insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia were explored in high‐fat and streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetes mice. Oral administration of Lact. plantarum CCFM0236 was found to decrease food intake, blood glucose level, glycosylated haemoglobin level and leptin level. Treatments of Lact. plantarum CCFM0236 also favourably regulated insulin level, AUCglucose, and HOMA‐IR index, and increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and interleukin‐10. In addition, Lact. plantarum CCFM0236 reduced levels of malondialdehyde and tumour necrosis factor‐α and protected pancreas function. Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM0236 has potential hypoglycaemic ability by ameliorating insulin resistance, antioxidant capacity and systemic inflammation in mice. The method of α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity could be effectively used to screen potential hypoglycaemic products and Lact. plantarum CCFM0236 might be a promising therapeutic agent for ameliorating type 2 diabetes.