Anti-diabetic agent with antihyperglycemic activity. alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor. Inhibits lysosomal alpha-glucosidase, sucrase, maltase and isomaltase (IC50= 0.35, 0.11, 1.3, and 1.2µM, respectively) as well as maltase-glucoamylase (IC50 = 1.0µM). alpha-Glucosidase enzymes hydrolyze oligosaccharides and disaccharides into glucose and other monosaccharides. Inhibition by miglitol prevents the breakdown of larger carbohydrates into glucose. This suppresses postprandial hyperglycemia and reduces plasma glucose concentration in normal rats and in several animal models of diabetes without cardiovascular complications. Anti-obesity drug. Shown to inhibit adipogenesis of white adipocytes in vitro and to activate brown adipose tissue (BAT) in mice. Induces an enhanced and prolonged release of glucagon-like peptide-1, regulating appetite and stabilizing body weight in humans. Influenced bile acid metabolism in mice and regulated the secretion of incretin hormones in humans. Reduces plasma lipids and inhibits free radical generation. Inhibits oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial ROS overproduction in endothelial cells.