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Anti-Aging Effect of Metformin: A Molecular and Therapeutical Perspective

Wheeler Torres1, Manuel Nava1, Nestor Galbán1

  • 1Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|July 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Metformin, a diabetes drug, shows promise in extending lifespan and improving healthspan in model organisms. Research is exploring its anti-aging mechanisms and potential as a human therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Aging impacts cellular homeostasis and increases non-transmissible disease risk.
  • Metformin, a Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus drug, has a favorable safety profile.
  • Emerging evidence suggests metformin possesses health benefits beyond glucose control, including geroprotective effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate metformin's potential as an anti-aging therapy.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying metformin's geroprotective capabilities.
  • To assess the potential for clinical trials evaluating metformin's efficacy and safety in humans for anti-aging.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on metformin and aging.
  • Analysis of studies in model organisms demonstrating increased lifespan and quality of life with metformin.
  • Identification of key molecular pathways implicated in metformin's anti-aging effects.

Main Results:

  • Metformin treatment has been linked to increased life expectancy and improved quality of life in various model organisms.
  • Key molecular pathways potentially mediating metformin's anti-aging effects include AMPK, mTORC1, SIRT1, FOXO, NF-kB, and DICER1.
  • The gut microbiome may play a role in metformin's geroprotective actions.

Conclusions:

  • Metformin exhibits significant geroprotective properties in preclinical studies.
  • Further research into metformin's anti-aging mechanisms is warranted.
  • Clinical trials are necessary to determine metformin's efficacy and safety as an anti-aging intervention in humans.
Keywords:
MetforminType 2 diabetes mellitusageinganti-ageing drugscellular homeostasisgeronto-protective properties

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