Somatostatin analogs with improved oral bioavailability.

Cyclic hexapeptide analogs of somatostatin with insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone (GH) release inhibitory potencies of 50-200 times those of somatostatin have been synthesized. Replacement of the Phe-7 residue with histidine has resulted in increased oral bioavailability and duration of action. Metabolic degradation of L-Trp containing analogs upon oral administration has also been overcome by incorporation of histidine. The all L-amino acid containing analog cyclo(NMePhe-His-Trp-Lys-Val-Ala) shows oral bioavailability comparable to D-Trp containing analogs.