Metformin (MTF) is a 1, 1 dimethylbiguanide derivative of legume Galega officinalis and was first reported as an antidiabetic drug in 1957. It is one of most commonly used oral agent for treating diabetes because of its efficacy, safety and wide availability. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance in liver, muscle, adipose tissue and other insulin resistant tissues which leads to hyperglycaemia and secondary hyperinsulinemia. MTF acts primarily by inhibiting gluconeogenesis. It has specific action on mitochondrial respiration that increases the AMP. Experimental evidence supports activation of Adenosine Mono-Phosphate (AMP) dependent protein Kinase (AMPK), leading to stimulation of hepatic fatty acid oxidation, glucose uptake, and nonoxidative glucose metabolism and reduction on gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. It also inhibits mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, there by changing redox state of cell. More recent evidence implicates other mechanisms, including blunting the effects of glucagon, inhibiting conversion of lactate and glycerol to glucose, and shifting liver towards negative lipid balance. Several pre-clinical studies show promising results in non-diabetic use of MTF as an anti-inflammatory agent, antioxidant, weight reducing agent and antineoplastic
User
Font Size
Information
