Table 1 A brief history of diabetes mellitus research and development [6,7,8]

Variations of diets

550 Common Era (CE)

Bleeding, emetics and narcotics

1921

Discovery of insulin

1923

Commercial animal insulin available

1936

Introduction of long-acting insulin

1941

Urine-testing tablets for sugar available

1949

Syringe drivers for insulin

1961

Glucagon available for hypoglycemia

1971

The first blood glucose meter developed

1972

Metformin approved for use in Canada

1983

Recombinant insulin developed

1995

First Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (AGI) Acarbose

1996

First Thiazolidinedionederivate (TZD) Troglitazone

1997

First Meglitinide Repaglinide

2005

First Amylin agonist pramlintide

First Glucagon-Like Peptide 1(GLP-1) receptor agonist (exenatide)

2006

First Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor (sitagliptin)

2008

Colesevelam approved for diabetes

2009

Bromocriptine approved for diabetes

2013

First Sodium Glucose Transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor (canagliflozin)