Pharmacologyonline 1: 498-524 (2009) ewsletter Kakadiya and Rathod ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGAGENTENT ––– OVEROVERVIEWVIEW Jagdish Kakadiya*, Shivkumar Rathod Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, The M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda-390 001, Gujarat, INDIA. ADDRESS FOR CORRESPOCORRESPONDENCENDENCE Mr. Jagdish L. KakaKakadiyadiya Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, The M.S. University of Baroda, BarodaBaroda----3900139001 Phone 09825882922
[email protected] 498 Pharmacologyonline 1: 498-524 (2009) ewsletter Kakadiya and Rathod Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and other signs, as distinct from a single disease or condition. The World Health Organization recognizes three main forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (occurring during pregnancy) (1), which have similar signs, symptoms, and consequences, but different causes and population distributions. Type 1 is usually due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. Type 2 is characterized by tissue-wide insulin resistance and varies widely; it sometimes progresses to loss of beta cell function. Gestational diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, in that it involves insulin resistance; the hormones of pregnancy cause insulin resistance in those women genetically predisposed to developing this condition. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is showing is showing a rapid progression world wide. Type 2 diabetes currently affecting 5 % to 10 % of most population, has become the most frequently encountered metabolic disorder in the world. The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes will rise from 171 million in the year 2000 to 366 millions by the year 2030 and these figures are higher the earlier estimates (2).