ER stress: A putative therapeutic target for diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing global health concern, with escalating prevalence and a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and healthcare economics. With over half a billion people affected worldwide, the need for innovative and effective treatment strategies is urgent. Here, we review the current pharmacological landscape for DM management, detailing various classes of antidiabetic drugs and providing a comprehensive overview of existing treatment modalities. Despite these treatments, there is a critical need for new therapeutic targets, given the rising disease prevalence and the substantial economic burden of diabetes care. In this context, the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the progression of DM is examined as a promising avenue for pharmacological targeting. The role of ER stress as an emerging therapeutic target in managing DM is highlighted here. In conclusion, the review underscores the importance of innovative research in identifying and validating new therapeutic targets, such as ER stress, to improve the management of DM and mitigate its global health impact.