Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel thienopyrimidine derivatives as diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT-1) inhibitors

Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Diabetes is one of the lifelong chronic metabolic diseases which is prevalent globally. There is a continuous rise in the number of people suffering from this disease with time. It is characterized by hyperglycemia, which leads to severe damage to the body's system, such as blood vessels and nerves. Diabetes occurs due to the dysfunction of pancreatic β -cell which leads to the reduction in the production of insulin or body cells unable to use insulin produce efficiently. As per the data shared International diabetes federation (IDF), there are around 415 million affected by this disease worldwide. There are a number of hit targets available that can be focused on treating diabetes. There are many drugs available and still under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Inhibition of gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and glucokinase activator is emerging targets for type 2 diabetes treatment. Diabetes management can be supplemented with drug intervention for obesity. The antidiabetic drug sale is the second-largest in the world, trailing only that of cancer. The future of managing diabetes will be guided by research on various novel targets and the development of various therapeutic leads, such as GLP-1 agonists, DPP-IV inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors that have recently completed their different phases of clinical trials. Among these therapeutic targets associated with type 2 diabetes, this review focused on some common therapeutic targets for developing novel drug candidates of the newer generation with better safety and efficacy.

Discovery of benzochromene derivatives first example with dual cytotoxic activity against the resistant cancer cell MCF-7/ADR and inhibitory effect of the P-glycoprotein expression levels

A series of 1H-benzo[f]chromene moieties (4a-z) were synthesised under Ultrasonic irradiation and confirmed with spectral analyses. Derivative 4i solely possessed an X-ray single crystal. The anti-proliferative efficacy of the desired molecules has been explored against three cancer cells: MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG-2 with the cytotoxically active derivatives screened against MCF-7/ADR and normal cells HFL-1 and WI-38. Furthermore, compounds 4b-d, 4k, 4n, 4q, and 4w, which possessed good potency against MCF-7/ADR, were tested as permeability glycoprotein (P-glycoprotein [P-gp]) expression inhibitors. The attained data confirmed that 4b-d, 4q, and 4w exhibited strong expression inhibition against the P-gp alongside its cytotoxic effect on MCF-7/ADR. The western blot results and Rho123 accumulation assays showed that compounds 4b-d, 4q, and 4w effectively inhibited the P-gp expression and efflux function. Meanwhile, 4b-d, 4q, and 4w induced apoptosis and accumulation of the treated MCF-7/ADR cells in the G1 phase and 4k and 4n in the S phase of the cell cycle.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs)-Exosomes Carrying MicroRNA-965 Attenuates Allogeneic Renal Transplant Rejection Through Regulation of Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3)

This study intends to evaluate the potential effect of BMSC-derived exosomes (exo) on the rejection of allogeneic kidney transplantation in a rat model. BMSCs were cultured and their exos were collected for characterization, in which the expression of miR-965 was detected by PCR. Rats received orthotopic kidney transplantation and treated with exos or PBS followed by analysis of serum creatinine and BUN, inflammatory cell infiltration, renal fibrosis and vascular wall fibrosis by immunohistochemistry staining, JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation by Western-blot, the inflammatory factor level by ELISA kit, and CD4+ cells differentiation by flow cytometry. miR-965 was enriched in BMSC-derived exo. Treatment with exo ameliorated the allograft rejection, improved renal function, and reduced the histological changes of kidney. In addition, exosomal treatment decreased the level of serum inflammatory cytokines, and altered T cell subpopulations. Meanwhile, fibrosis and neointima formation was reduced as demonstrated by related protein expression and signaling pathways was inactivated in the presence of exos. In conclusion, the miR-965 derived from BMSC-exos mitigated the renal allograft rejection through JAK/STAT3 signaling.

Trends in Antidiabetic Drug Discovery: FDA Approved Drugs, New Drugs in Clinical Trials and Global Sales

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to be a substantial medical problem due to its increasing global prevalence and because chronic hyperglycemic states are closely linked with obesity, liver disease and several cardiovascular diseases. Since the early discovery of insulin, numerous antihyperglycemic drug therapies to treat diabetes have been approved, and also discontinued, by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To provide an up-to-date account of the current trends of antidiabetic pharmaceuticals, this review offers a comprehensive analysis of the main classes of antihyperglycemic compounds and their mechanisms: insulin types, biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides (glinides), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs), thiazolidinediones (TZD), incretin-dependent therapies, sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and combinations thereof. The number of therapeutic alternatives to treat T2DM are increasing and now there are nearly 60 drugs approved by the FDA. Beyond this there are nearly 100 additional antidiabetic agents being evaluated in clinical trials. In addition to the standard treatments of insulin therapy and metformin, there are new drug combinations, e.g., containing metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors, that have gained substantial use during the last decade. Furthermore, there are several interesting alternatives, such as lobeglitazone, efpeglenatide and tirzepatide, in ongoing clinical trials. Modern drugs, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, DPP4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors have gained popularity on the pharmaceutical market, while less expensive over the counter alternatives are increasing in developing economies. The large heterogeneity of T2DM is also creating a push towards more personalized and accessible treatments. We describe several interesting alternatives in ongoing clinical trials, which may help to achieve this in the near future.

Exosomes Derived from Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSC) Protect Submandibular Glands in Diabetic Rats

Our study assess whether exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) ameliorates diabetic salivary gland complications. 10 SD rats were assigned into diabetes group I and exosome treatment group II. Diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and injected with DMSO or exosomes through tail vein followed by collection of submandibular salivary gland samples for histological analysis and TGFβ, Smad2 and Smad3 level by PCR, saliva IgA and serum amylase level. Compared with control mice, exosome treatment mice showed less fibrosis of the submandibular salivary glands and duct components with a more complete structure. Exosome treatment inhibited TGFβ, Smad2 and Smad3 level to reduce diabetic salivary gland complications, effectively decreased blood sugar level, improved salivary glands function with significantly reduced serum amylase and salivary IgA levels. In conclusion, BM-MSC-derived exosomes may be a new therapeutic strategy for treating diabetic salivary gland complications.

Novel therapies with precision mechanisms for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the greatest health crises of our time and its prevalence is projected to increase by >50% globally by 2045. Currently, 10 classes of drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of T2DM. Drugs in development for T2DM must show meaningful reductions in glycaemic parameters as well as cardiovascular safety. Results from an increasing number of cardiovascular outcome trials using modern T2DM therapeutics have shown a reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Hence, guidelines have become increasingly evidence based and more patient centred, focusing on reaching individualized glycaemic goals while optimizing safety, non-glycaemic benefits and the prevention of complications. The bar has been raised for novel therapies under development for T2DM as they are now expected to achieve these aims and possibly even treat concurrent comorbidities. Indeed, the pharmaceutical pipeline for T2DM is fertile. Drugs that augment insulin sensitivity, stimulate insulin secretion or the incretin axis, or suppress hepatic glucose production are active in more than 7,000 global trials using new mechanisms of action. Our collective goal of being able to truly personalize medicine for T2DM has never been closer at hand.

Pyrimidinetrione-imidazoles as a Unique Structural Type of Potential Agents towards Candida Albicans: Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation

Substantial morbidity and mortality of fungal infections have aroused concerns all over the world, and common Candida spp. currently bring about severe systemic infections. A series of pyrimidinetrione-imidazole conjugates as potentially antifungal agents were developed. Bioassays manifested that 4-fluobenzyl pyrimidinetrione imidazole 5 f exerted favorable inhibition towards C. albicans (MIC=0.002 mM), being 6.5 folds more active than clinical antifungal drug fluconazole (MIC=0.013 mM). Preliminary mechanism research indicated that compound 5 f could not only depolarize membrane potential but also permeabilize the membrane of C. albicans. Molecular docking was operated to simulate the interaction mode between molecule 5 f and CYP51. In addition, hybrid 5 f might form 5 f-DNA supramolecular complex via intercalating into DNA. The interference of membrane and DNA might contribute to its fungicidal capacity with no obvious tendency to induce the resistance against C. albicans. Conjugate 5 f endowed good blood compatibility as well as low cytotoxicity towards HeLa and HEK-293T cells.

Evaluating the appropriate oral lipid tolerance test model for investigating plasma triglyceride elevation in mice

The oral lipid tolerance test (OLTT) has been known to assess intestinal fat metabolism and whole-body lipid metabolism, but rodent models for OLTT are not yet established. Differences in OLTT methodology preclude the generation of definitive results, which may cause some confusion about the anti-hypertriglyceridemia effects of the test materials. To standardize and generate more appropriate methodology for the OLTT, we examined the effects of mice strain, dietary lipid sources, fasting period, and gender on lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia in mice. First, lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia was more strongly observed in male ddY mice than in C57BL/6N or ICR mice. Second, the administration of olive and soybean oils remarkably represented lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Third, fasting period before the OLTT largely affected the plasma triglyceride elevation. Fasting for 12 h, but less than 48 h, provoked lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Fourth, we explored the suppressive effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, on lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia. The administration of 100 mg/kg of EGCG suppressed lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia and intestinal lipase activity. Fifth, EGCG-induced suppressive effects were observed after lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia was observed in male mice, but not in female mice. Lastly, lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia could be more effectively induced in mice fed a high-fat diet for 1 week before the OLTT. These findings indicate that male ddY mice after 12 h fasting displayed marked lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia in response to soybean oil. Hence, the defined experiment condition may be a more appropriate OLTT model for evaluating lipid-induced hypertriglyceridemia.