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Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity...
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Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cancer

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 April 2026 | Viewed by 2349

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marisa Jádna Silva Frederico

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Hormones & Signal Transduction, Departament of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Campus Trindade, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
2. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Departament of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drug Research and Development Center (DRDC), Medical School, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, Fortaleza 60430-275, CE, Brazil
Interests: natural compounds; diabetes; chronic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Hormones & Signal Transduction, Departament of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Campus Trindade, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
2. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Departament of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drug Research and Development Center (DRDC), Medical School, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, Fortaleza 60430-275, CE, Brazil
Interests: natural compounds; diabetes; infertility; cancer; central nervous system diseases; chronic diseases; medicinal plants; pain and analgesia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing global prevalence of diabetes, obesity and cancer has highlighted the need for effective therapies and pharmacological targets to manage these interrelated conditions. These diseases not only impact individual health but also place a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

Therapies for diabetes aim to improve insulin sensitivity and secretion, with pharmacological targets including the inhibition of enzymes like DPP-4 to enhance insulin action and GLP-1 receptor agonists to stimulate insulin production. Metformin remains a first-line treatment due to its effect on lowering glucose levels and reducing the risk of microvascular complications. Pharmacological interventions for obesity target appetite suppression and energy expenditure. Drugs like phentermine and lorcaserin work by modulating the hypothalamic pathways involved in appetite control. Newer treatments, such as semaglutide, leverage the GLP-1 receptor to reduce hunger and promote weight loss. Pharmacological targets in cancer therapy include the inhibition of oncogenic drivers, angiogenesis and immune checkpoints. Advances in precision medicine have led to the development of personalized treatments based on genetic mutations within tumors, such as HER2 inhibitors for breast cancer and EGFR inhibitors for lung cancer.

The link between obesity, diabetes and cancer is evident in the shared inflammatory and metabolic pathways that contribute to disease progression. Therapeutic strategies are evolving to address these commonalities, with metformin showing potential in cancer prevention and treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects.

The Special Issue focuses on therapies and pharmacological targets for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and cancer where there is little resolution or possibility of cure. Current therapies for these diseases require multiple drugs that have several adverse effects. All of this limits patient adherence and greatly reduces quality of life. In this context, this Special Issue focus on new therapies and/or pharmacological targets that aim to improve current treatments for diabetes, obesity and cancer.

Dr. Marisa Jádna Silva Frederico
Prof. Dr. Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • cancer
  • pharmacological targets

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 793 KB  
Article
Herbal Medicine and Lifestyle Modifications for People with Obesity: A Single-Center, Retrospective, Observational Study
by Minwoo Bang, Suyong Shin, Jungsang Kim, Minwhee Kang, Donghun Lee, Junho Kim, Chunghee Kim, Jiyoung Son, Seungyeon Choi, Seonghyeon Jeon, Dasol Park, Byungsoo Kang and Jungtae Leem
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091396 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Objectives: Conventional Western treatments for obesity are associated with various adverse events (AEs). This study aimed to determine the treatment response and safety assessment of an integrative Korean medicine treatment (IKMT), consisting of herbal medicine (HM) and lifestyle modification (LM), for weight [...] Read more.
Objectives: Conventional Western treatments for obesity are associated with various adverse events (AEs). This study aimed to determine the treatment response and safety assessment of an integrative Korean medicine treatment (IKMT), consisting of herbal medicine (HM) and lifestyle modification (LM), for weight loss (WL) in people with obesity. Methods: The electronic medical records of outpatients from July 2021 to May 2023 at a Daeat Korean medicine clinic in Seoul were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 3161 patients were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and blood pressure (BP) index. Moreover, the treatment response to IKMT in the 24 best cases (WL within BMI < 23 kg/m2) was evaluated using BIA and BP index, and the safety profile was determined by analyzing AEs. Results: The mean age was 38.2 ± 11.39 years, and the mean duration of treatment was 142.62 ± 104.92 days (approximately 20 weeks). The mean WL was 8.02 ± 6.67 kg (change from the baseline, 8.71%). Of the 3161 participants, 2146 had a WL of ≥5%. The best-case subgroup (n = 24; age 36.54 ± 11.64 years) achieved 23.02 ± 4.07 kg WL and reached BMIs < 23 kg/m2 in 7.83 ± 2.54 months; among those with BP indices available (n = 21), reductions were statistically significant. In this subgroup, the mean treatment duration was 8.71 ± 2.46 months (range, 5–15), exceeding the 6-month safety guideline for Ephedrae Herba-containing HM, and no serious AEs were observed. At the 7-month follow-up, 11 patients maintained a statistically significant WL. Conclusions: This is the first Korean study to apply the professional collaboration of IKMT and dietician-led LM to people with obesity. IKMT combined with LM appears to be a safe and effective approach for obesity management. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish standardized treatment protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cancer)
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14 pages, 784 KB  
Article
Effect of Submaximal Doses of Semaglutide in Patients with Obesity on Metabolic Profile and Serum Levels of Adipocytokines
by Martin Jozef Péč, Jakub Jurica, Monika Péčová, Norbert Nagy, Boris Focko, Zuzana Miertová, Nikola Ferencová, Ivana Ságová, Ingrid Tonhajzerová, Tomáš Bolek, Peter Galajda, Marián Mokáň and Matej Samoš
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091364 - 12 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background: Obesity is closely linked to metabolic dysfunction and systemic low-grade inflammation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are increasingly utilized for obesity treatment due to their significant metabolic benefits, including weight loss and improved glycemic control. The aim of the study was to [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is closely linked to metabolic dysfunction and systemic low-grade inflammation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are increasingly utilized for obesity treatment due to their significant metabolic benefits, including weight loss and improved glycemic control. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of submaximal doses of long-lasting GLP-1RA semaglutide on selected biomarkers of obesity-related inflammation, adipocytokines levels and metabolism in a real-world population of obese patients. Methods: We performed a prospective, observational study involving 32 adult patients (11 men, 21 women; mean age 49 ± 12 years; BMI 40.5 ± 7.3 kg/m2) treated with submaximal doses of semaglutide over 12 weeks, together with hypocaloric diet and increased physical activity based. We analyzed selected biomarkers including insulin, leptin, ferritin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) before and after three months of treatment. Results: We observed significant reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference, insulin and leptin levels (all p < 0.001). On the other hand, no significant changes were recorded in ferritin (p = 0.806), IL-6 (p = 0.607), TNF-α (p = 0.633), resistin (p = 0.250) or PAI-1 (p = 0.134) levels. Correlation analyses revealed the correlation between IL-6 and adiposity indices (BMI, waist circumference) both before and after treatment. Ferritin and PAI-1 levels positively correlated with waist circumference, while resistin showed a negative correlation with central obesity. Conclusions: Submaximal-dose GLP-1 RA therapy was associated with significant improvements in metabolic parameters and adipokine regulation, but did not affect systemic inflammatory markers within 12 weeks. Future studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-ups are needed to clarify the associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cancer)
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Review

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43 pages, 18411 KB  
Review
Physiological Conditions, Bioactive Ingredients, and Drugs Stimulating Non-Shivering Thermogenesis as a Promising Treatment Against Diabesity
by Diego Salagre, Ciskey V. Ayala-Mosqueda, Samira Aouichat and Ahmad Agil
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091247 - 22 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Obesity (lipotoxicity) results from a chronic imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. It is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, glucotoxicity) and considered a major risk factor for the development of metabolic complications. Their convergence constitutes “diabesity”, representing a major challenge [...] Read more.
Obesity (lipotoxicity) results from a chronic imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. It is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, glucotoxicity) and considered a major risk factor for the development of metabolic complications. Their convergence constitutes “diabesity”, representing a major challenge for public health worldwide. Limited treatment efficacy highlights the need for novel, multi-targeted therapies. Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), mediated by brown and beige adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, has emerged as a promising therapy due to its capacity to increase energy expenditure and improve metabolic health. Also, skeletal muscle plays a central role in glucose uptake and lipid oxidation, further highlighting its relevance in diabesity. This review explores current and emerging knowledge on physiological stimuli, including cold exposure, physical activity, and fasting, as well as bioactive ingredients and drugs that stimulate NST in thermogenic tissues. Special emphasis is placed on melatonin as a potential regulator of mitochondrial function and energy balance. The literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Web of Science. Studies were selected based on scientific relevance, novelty, and mechanistic insight; prioritizing human and high-quality rodent research published in peer-reviewed journals. Evidence shows that multiple interventions enhance NST, leading to improved glucose metabolism, reduced fat accumulation, and increased energy expenditure in humans and/or rodents. Melatonin, in particular, shows promise in modulating thermogenesis through organelle-molecular pathways and mitochondrial protective effects. In conclusion, a multi-target approach through the activation of NST by physiological, nutritional, and pharmacological agents offers an effective and safe treatment for diabesity. Further research is needed to confirm these effects in clinical practice and support their use as effective therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cancer)
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