Description
Vildagliptin is an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) that increases levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Vildagliptin’s inhibition of DPP4 results in anti-diabetic and anti-hyperglycemic benefits, including increases in serum insulin and β-cell mass, decreases in serum glucagon, restoration of insulin/IGF1 signaling, and improved endoplasmic reticular stress in animal models. Additionally, this compound displays neuroprotective and cognition enhancing activities, attenuating amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, tau phosphorylation, and release of inflammatory markers as well as improving memory retention in animal models; this indicates potential benefit as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease with further investigation.