Rosiglitazone maleate is the maleic acid salt form of rosiglitazone, a potent insulin sensitizer, which is used for the treatment of diabetes. Rosiglitazone belongs to a group of compounds, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which selectively ligate the nuclear transcription factor peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). As a TZD, rosiglitazone improves the sensitivity of end organs to insulin through PPARγ activation which poteniates them to lower concentrations of blood glucose. Despite of its beneficial effects of targeting insulin resistance, recent studies has shown that rosiglitazone is associated with several moderate to severe adverse effects, including hemodilution, anemia, weight gain, and edema as well as increased risk for heart failure and myocardial ischemic events.

Reference

Andreas Pfutzner, Birgit Wilhelm, and Thomas Forst. Rosiglitazone and glimeperide: review of clinical results supporting a fixed dose conbination. Vascular Health and Risk Management 2007: 3(2) 211-220

Adie Vilioen and Alan Sinclair. Safety and efficacy of rosiglitazone in the elderly diabetic patient. Vascular Health and Risk Management 2009:5 389-395