African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2274

Article in Press

A review on chemical and pharmacological profile of a novel class of antihyperglycemic drugs: Dipeptidyl protease-4 inhibitors

Himanshu Joshi*, Abdul Wadood Siddiqui, Zia Ur Rehman, Afrin Salma and Deepanshu Sharma

  •  Received: 19 October 2015
  •  Accepted: 01 November 2015
The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are a new class of anti hyperglycemic agents which were developed for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus by rational drug design, based on an understanding of the mechanism of action and knowledge of the structure of the target enzyme. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP 1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) are hormones secreted by the enteroendocrine cells of the gut in response to the ingestion of nutrients. The glucoregulatory effects of incretins are the basis for new therapies currently being developed for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus. The DPP-4 inhibition as well as selectivity increase with an increase in the number of binding subsites. Novel research has to be focused on the discovery of potent, selective, safe and long acting DPP-4 inhibitors. The modification of DPP-4 interaction with other proteins has still not been explored so much and further research is required in this direction. The potential benefits of DPP-4 inhibitors include their complementary mechanism of action with other antidiabetic medications. Several clinical trials, presentations, and abstracts indicate the importance of the DPP-4 inhibitors sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin and alogliptin alone or in combination with insulin sensitizers in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Newer and better effective therapies are in demand than currently available conventional drugs.

Keywords: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, diabetes mellitus, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), incretin