BackgroundThe new xanthine dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor yogliptin has exhibited excellent hypoglycemic activity in experimental disease models. The present work aimed to assess the efficacy of yogliptin as a monotherapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MethodsA 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study was performed. T2DM patients (new diagnosis or inadequately controlled) were randomly divided into groups (1:1:1:1) and administered either a placebo or weekly doses of 200, 300, or 400 mg yogliptin, respectively. The primary efficacy end point in this analysis was hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) change at 12 weeks relative to baseline. Relevant secondary outcomes were also examined, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h-postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), body weight, and the rate of individuals who achieved the treatment goal of HbA1c <= 7% at 12 weeks from baseline. ResultsA total of 81 cases who received either the placebo (20 cases) or 200 (20 cases), 300 (20 cases), or 400 (21 cases) mg yogliptin were examined in the full analysis set. At 12 weeks, changes in HbA1c levels from baseline were 0.17 (-0.22, 0.57) in the placebo group, and -0.75 (-1.15, -0.35), -0.52 (-0.93, -0.11) and -1.02 (-1.41, -0.64) (mean % [95% confidence interval], p < .001 vs. placebo) in the 200, 300, and 400 mg yogliptin groups, respectively. From week four, significant improvements in secondary efficacy outcomes among patients administered the yogliptin monotherapy were observed. FPG showed markedly more pronounced reduction after treatment with yogliptin at 200, 300, and 400 mg in comparison with placebo patients at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, goal attainment (HbA1c <= 7%) was reached in 0%, 20.00%, 15.80%, and 33.33% of the placebo and three Yogliptin dosage groups, respectively. Adverse events were comparable in all groups. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that yogliptin controlled glycemia in Chinese T2DM cases, with a great safety profile. The current findings supported that any of the three doses of yogliptin, administered once a week, could be used for phase III clinical studies.