Recent Advances in Development of GPR40 Modulators (FFA1/FFAR1): An Emerging Target for Type 2 Diabetes

Background: GPR40, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor that is activated by medium and long-chain fatty acids and is highly expressed in pancreatic islets, adipose depots and the gastrointestinal tract are involved in energy source recognition, absorption, storage and/or metabolism. Since its deorphanization in 2003, G-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 has emerged as a potential target for type II diabetes because it has been hypothesized to participate in the adverse effects of chronic fatty acid exposure on function of β-cell. Results: This signifies that G-protein-coupled receptors have recently emerged as novel therapeutic targets in metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Therefore it seems natural that GPR40 represents a potentially attractive target to best meet the need for novel treatments for Type II diabetes. Conclusion: This review describes recent advances and novel drug discovery approaches in the antidiabetic area, focusing on GPR40 modulators which have been synthesized till date and their Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR).