Exploring in vitro techniques as new frontiers in antidiabetic drug screening

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder, and screening drugs in preclinical studies is challenging. In the technological era, computer-aided tools and robotics are highly explored, and drug discovery is happening at a high speed. However, pharmacological screening will halt because of methodological errors. Hence, comprehensive in vitro assays and preclinical studies are performed to identify the lead and lead optimization. This chapter assesses various in vitro assays in antidiabetic drug screening, necessary for advancing therapeutic interventions. Classifying these medications based on their mechanisms of action scrutinizes their efficacy, associated side effects, and inherent limitations while delineating critical therapeutic targets and pathways. Furthermore, the in vitro assays, phenotypic, and target-based are explored, underscoring their vital role in assessing drug efficacy, mechanism of action, and safety profiles. Moreover, the chapter thoroughly examines enzyme-based and cell-based assays, including various cell lines such as HepG2, 3T3-L1, and INS-1 employed in drug screening protocols, elucidating their respective merits and applications. The discussion explores emerging technologies, such as Organ-on-Chip and Organoids, poised to revolutionize antidiabetic drug discovery and personalized therapeutic strategies. This scientific overview emphasizes the urgent need for ongoing advancements in antidiabetic drug screening methods, which are cardinal for effectively addressing the increasing global burden of diabetes mellitus.