Role of Chromium Complexes as Anti-Diabetic Agents-Past and Present

The GTF (glucose tolerance factor) is an ill-defined chromium complex with various amino acids and nicotinic acid, known to play a role similar to insulin as regards to carbohydrate metabolism in mammals, which also was shown to enhance glucose utilization when added to yeast cultures. Over the years even though, a plethora of synthetic complexes were synthesized by using ligands as those present in GTF as also with ligands not present in the original GTF. Many of these complexes showed similar activity to that of GTF, but turned out to be insoluble and unstable. Whatever be the methods one outcome was certain, the actual structure and mode of action of GTF like complexes remain an enigma to this day in spite of different investigations being carried out in his vast area. The present article presents a panoramic view of the work done in the mentioned area from the start to the present.