[Transition and perspectives of antidiabetic agents].

History of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) started in 1942 that was 20 years delayed to the discovery of insulin. The first two OHAs (sulfonylurea and biguanide) were discovered by chance. Ancient knowledge regarding antidiabetic agents present in nature is significant for the development of some drugs. For instance, principal components of biguanide, α-glucosidase inhibitors are contained in French lilac and mulberry leaves respectively, that are ancient diabetic medications. Thiazolidinediones, incretin related drugs, were discovered by a result of great effort paid to structural ingenuity and search of the compound. SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents which has various potentials beyond lowering plasma glucose. In this review, we will discuss about transition and perspectives of antidiabetic agents.