A Structure-activity Relationship (SAR) Insight for the Most Effective Oral Antidiabetic Compounds-A Current Review.

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, poses a significant global health challenge, demanding continuous research into effective treatments. With projections of 629 million individuals affected by 2045 and escalating healthcare costs, the need for new anti-diabetic medications is urgent. Current therapies often present limitations, including undesirable side effects and insufficient long-term efficacy. This review explores the development of oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs), focusing on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) employed to create both established and emerging classes of medications. We examine the six major OAD classes: biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors. In addition, a new promising class of OAD, namely metal complexes, is discussed. This review highlights the crucial role of synthetic chemistry in advancing diabetes treatment and improving patient outcomes.