Endocrine Pharmacology Research in India: Scientific Progress in Last Five Years

Abstract

During the last five years, significant scientific effort has been made in the field of endocrine pharmacology by Indian researchers. Endocrine disorders like diabetes and disorders of the reproductive systems and melatonin are the major areas of research interest of the Indian scientists.Though the researchers have investigated both natural products and synthetic compounds, the reported studies have focused primarily on plant extracts to substantiate their use scientifically based on their folklore use. Diabetes is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic in India with approximately 69 million people in the world. Various pharmacological investigations on herbal and synthetic compounds have been carried out for the treatment of diabetes and its complications.Saroglitazar, a novel PPARα/γ agonist is the first indigenously developed synthetic antidiabetic drug by an Indian pharmaceutical company as approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in June 2013. The potential of certain cell based therapies and nanoformulationswere also investigated for different diabetes treatment. The scientific rationale for the use of various herbs on male and female reproduction with respect to aphrodiasic, fertility and antifertility properties has been explored. In addition to role of melatonin in chronobiology, it has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions.Only few Indian scientists have studied on endocrine pharmacology related to adrenal, tyroid and parathyroid gland disorders. In addition, the effects of some endocrine disruptors, toxic chemicals and heavy metals on endocrine systems were also studied. In this review, we have compiled the research articles on scientific progress made in field of endocrine pharmacology from India between years 2012-2017.