An Insight Into Commercially Available SGLT2 Inhibitors and Their Structure–Activity Relationship Studies

A serious, rapidly growing global health issue is diabetes mellitus (Type 2) caused by insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. This is a chronic condition that demands ongoing care and management. Although a variety of anti-hyperglycaemic medications are available, the need for safer, more effective, and affordable antidiabetic treatments remains crucial due to the undesirable side effects associated with existing options. This review primarily highlights the innovative sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and explores their various characteristics. Gliflozins represent an important class of medications used to manage type II diabetes by targeting the SGLT2. By inhibiting SGLT2, they effectively reduce blood glucose levels by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose. This review offers a comprehensive overview of gliflozins approved by leading regulatory authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). It explores the design and development of sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) inhibitors, their mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationships, and additional therapeutic applications.