Semaglutide is a long-acting, selective, competitive GLP-1R agonist and a long-acting analog of human glucagon-like peptide-1, exhibiting potent hypoglycemic, weight-loss, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Upon activation of the GLP-1R, semaglutide promotes insulin secretion, inhibits gastric emptying and appetite, while also enhancing autophagy and suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Semaglutide also plays a role in regulating mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism. Semaglutide is being investigated for use in type 2 diabetes, obesity, Parkinsons disease, metabolic and fatty liver diseases (MASLD), and other neurodegenerative and liver diseases, as well as in cancer research.
