Abstract
The therapeutic potential of venom-derived drugs is evident today. Currently, several significant drugs are FDA approved for human use that descend directly from animal venom products, with others having undergone, or progressing through, clinical trials. In addition, there is growing awareness of the important cosmeceutical application of venom-derived products. The success of venom-derived compounds is linked to their increased bioactivity, specificity and stability when compared to synthetically engineered compounds. This review highlights advancements in venom-derived compounds for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. Exendin-4, originating from the saliva of Gila monster lizard, represents proof-of-concept for this drug discovery pathway in diabetes. More recent evidence emphasises the potential of venom-derived compounds from bees, cone snails, sea anemones, scorpions, snakes and spiders to effectively manage glycaemic control. Such compounds could represent exciting exploitable scaffolds for future drug discovery in diabetes, as well as providing tools to allow for a better understanding of cell signalling pathways linked to insulin secretion and metabolism. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2021.]
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 11795514211006071 |
| Journal | Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes |
| Volume | 14 |
| Early online date | 27 Mar 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - Mar 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Work on venom therapeutics within the Diabetes Research Group at Ulster University is currently supported by a Diabetes UK funded PhD studentship (AC-P).
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2021.
Keywords
- Clinical trials
- diabetes
- exendin-4
- venom therapeutics
