Vildagliptin

Zoicas I, et al. Neuropharmacology, 2025, 279, 110656.

Vildagliptin was evaluated for its efficacy in reducing social fear and preventing depressive-like behavior in a mouse model of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Male CD1 mice were subjected to social fear conditioning (SFC) to induce social fear. Vildagliptin was administered via drinking water at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day. Behavioral assessments demonstrated significant reductions in social fear and prevention of subsequent depressive-like phenotypes. The study highlights vildagliptin's potential to interrupt the progression of SAD into comorbid disorders, emphasizing its translational relevance. The experimental design involved controlled oral administration, behavioral testing for social interaction, and longitudinal monitoring of mood-related behaviors, providing a robust model to assess early pharmacological intervention in SAD.

He Y, et al. Neuroscience Letters, 2024, 842, 137970.

This study investigated vildagliptin's anti-epileptic properties through modulation of neuronal excitability. Rats received vildagliptin prior to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures. Electrophysiological recordings in cultured hippocampal neurons assessed the subthreshold A-type potassium current, mediated by Kv4 channels. Vildagliptin treatment delayed seizure onset, reduced frequency and duration, and restored the Kv4-to-DPP6/DPP10 ratio disrupted by epileptic activity. These experiments demonstrate that vildagliptin decreases neuronal excitability by regulating DPP accessory protein binding to Kv4 channels, revealing a novel mechanistic application of this DPP4 inhibitor in epilepsy research. Methodologically, the study combined in vivo seizure modeling with in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiology, providing mechanistic insight into ion channel modulation by vildagliptin.

Fahad M, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025, 290, 139011.

Vildagliptin was formulated in chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) and embedded in chondroitin sulfate-based hydrogel to achieve controlled oral delivery. Chitosan NPs were synthesized via ionic gelation with tripolyphosphate (TPP), adjusting pH to 4.7-4.8, followed by drug incorporation, magnetic stirring, centrifugation, and lyophilization. Optimized NPs (average size 213 nm, 65% encapsulation) were incorporated into hydrogel matrices, exhibiting high gel fraction (96%) and sustained drug release over 72 h via non-Fickian diffusion. Swelling studies indicated pH-responsive behavior, favoring release at slightly basic conditions. Acute toxicity studies confirmed oral safety. This methodology demonstrates a robust strategy for the experimental development of vildagliptin oral dosage forms with controlled release characteristics, combining polymer chemistry and nanotechnology.