Empagliflozin is a selective inhibitor of SGLT-2 with IC50 value of 3.1 nM [1].

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) is a member of sodium glucose co-transporter family and plays a pivotal role in glucose reabsorption in the kidney [2].

Empagliflozin is a potent SGLT-2 inhibitor and has a high degree of selectivity over SGLT-1, 4, 5 and 6 than other reported SGLT-2 inhibitors. When tested with a panel of human cell lines over-expressed SGLT-1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, Empagliflozin treatment competitively bind to SGLT-2 over glucose at low dose [1]. In human proximal tublular cell (PTC) cell line HK2 cells, Empagliflozin treatment for 72 h inhibits the expression of SGLT-2 which in turn reversed high glucose induced TLR4 expression, NF-κB binding, IL-6 secretion, AP-1 binding and CIV expression [3].

In Zucker diabetic fatty rat model, oral administration of Empagliflozin shows good efficiency with moderate total plasma clearance (CL) and bioavailability (BA) which indicated that Empagliflozin as an innovative therapeutic approach to treat diabetes in clinic [1]. When treated Zucker diabetic fatty rat model with Empagliflozin, both single and multiple doses results in the urinary glucose excretion and reductions in blood glucose levels [4].

References:
[1].? Grempler, R., et al., Empagliflozin, a novel selective sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor: characterisation and comparison with other SGLT-2 inhibitors. Diabetes Obes Metab, 2012. 14(1): p. 83-90.
[2].? Ndefo, U.A., et al., Empagliflozin (Jardiance): A Novel SGLT2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Type-2 Diabetes. P t, 2015. 40(6): p. 364-8.
[3].? Panchapakesan, U., et al., Effects of SGLT2 inhibition in human kidney proximal tubular cells--renoprotection in diabetic nephropathy? PLoS One, 2013. 8(2): p. e54442.
[4].?? Thomas, L., et al., Long-term treatment with empagliflozin, a novel, potent and selective SGLT-2 inhibitor, improves glycaemic control and features of metabolic syndrome in diabetic rats. Diabetes Obes Metab, 2012. 14(1): p. 94-6.