oa Editorial

Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery is an important addition to the ‘Recent Patent’ journal series published by Bentham Science Publishers. The journal publishes review and research articles and thematic issues on recent patents reviewed in the field. The scope of the journal covers therapeutic targets/ agents associated with endocrine, metabolic and immune drug discovery; novel drugs/ hormone for the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular, obesity, endocrine glands and hormones , and related areas. In this issue, Cheung and Tang discusses the role of adrenomedullin in many biological systems particularly cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, musculoskeletal infection, reproductive, neuroendocrine and renal functions. The recent patents cited in this article claims the use of peptide from human pheochromocytoma tissue in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and blocking angiogenesis in cancers. Adrenomedullin also acts as an endocrine biomarker in diabetes and cardocascular diseases and also acts as growth factor in proliferation of osteoblasts. The diagnostic applications of adrenomedullin was also discussed. Investigations on in vivo studies in subjects with metabolic diseases at increased cardiovascular risk by polyphenol rich extracts is published by Broekhuizen et al. [1].The results showed anti-inflammatory effect by reducing inflammatory chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor and other factors. Recently, Banegas et al. have reported the studies in patients with metabolic syndrome [2], while Chapman presented the effects of a new statin, pitavastatin in atherogenic dyslipidemia on both apolipoprotein B-containing and apolipoprotein A1- containing lipoprotein components of the atherogenic lipid profile (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoproteincholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels). The clinical trials were also conducted [3]. Potential use of a novel basal insulin analog- Degludec was reviewed with related patents by Kalra et al. The preference of Degludec over existing human basal insulins was studied for the treatment of type 2-diabetes and type -1 diabetes. Formulations, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics have also been reported. Combined administration of a DPP-4 inhibitor and long-acting insulin (insulin degludec, insulin glargine, insulin detemir, which are insulin analogs, and ultralente insulin) was claimed to inhibit metabolic diseases [4]. The combination therapy comprising glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (linagliptin) was also claimed to be effective in hyperlipidemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, overweight and obesity [5]. WO2011134471 relates to the treatment of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, diabetes- related diseases or disorders with compositions of new peptide conjugate comprising covalently coupled/linked specific exendin and gastrin peptide, or glucagon-like peptide and gastrin peptide or in combination with insulin or an analog (Degludec or others) and a DPP-IV inhibitor [6]. Meneghini and Miranda-Palma discusses the management of type 1 and 2 diabetes with novel ultra-long-acting basal insulin degludec [7]. Current literature review for the management of type 2 diabetes and micro-and macrovascular complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease associated with type 2 diabetes complications was discussed by [8]. A new target Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors for treating dislipidemia was identified by Raval et al. The mechanical properties of MTP inhibition with Phase 2 & 3 clinical trials studies of SLX-4090 and Lomitapide (AEGR 733) and recent patented claims were presented by the authors. The promising results of LDL cholestrol lowering property by MTP were established in human trials....