Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry - Online First

Diabetes mellitus, characterized as a chronic metabolic disorder or a polygenic syndrome; is increasing at a very fast pace among every group of the population worldwide. It arises due to the inability of the body to produce enough insulin (the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels) or inability to utilize the insulin, leading to hyperglycaemic condition, which, if left uncontrolled gives rise to chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications like retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, coronary artery disease, cognitive impairment, etc. Several therapeutic approaches are available for the treatment of diabetes; among which dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-IV) inhibitors (gliptins) hold a significant place. DPP-IV is a multifunctional enzyme or a serine exopeptidase that plays an imperative role in cleaving bioactive molecules. DPP-IV causes the breakdown of incretin hormone (GLP-1: Glucagon-like peptide 1 and GIP: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) that is essential for controlling glycaemic levels in the body. Inhibition of DPP-IV enzyme (DPP-IV inhibitors: Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin, Linagliptin, Alogliptin) prevents this breakdown, thereby controlling blood glucose levels and saving the patients from deleterious effects of prolonged hyperglycaemic conditions. Triazole-based DPP-IV inhibitors are a significant class of drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus in a dose-dependent manner. Clinical trials have demonstrated their efficacy as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic agents. This review highlights the molecular docking studies and structure-activity relationship of potential synthetic derivatives that may act as lead molecules for future drug discovery and yield drug molecules with enhanced efficacy, potency and reduced toxicity profile.