Current Status of Therapeutic Peptides for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder with lifelong implications. The prevalence of this condition is steadily increasing, emphasizing the need for effective management to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and mitigate associated complications. While various antidiabetic medications are available, individuals with type 1 diabetes rely on lifelong insulin therapy, and those with type 2 diabetes may also require it if other oral treatments prove ineffective. This study focuses on peptide-based therapies approved for diabetes management, including insulin, incretin mimetics (GLP-1, GLP-1 analogues, and GIP analogues), and amylin analogues. The advent of peptide-based therapeutics represents significant progress in diabetes management. Peptides consist of short sequences of amino acids and offer immense potential for treating the complicated pathophysiology of diabetes. They exhibit higher potency and specificity, although their short half-life in the body, cost, and instability are notable drawbacks. Modification of the peptide chain structure and various formulation strategies to prolong their plasma circulation time and reduce the frequency of dosing aim to minimize drawbacks associated with the peptide molecules. Continuous advancements in drug delivery strategies have also resulted in the greater therapeutic efficacy of peptides, better disease management, and improved quality of life for patients.