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Role of metformin in various pathologies: state-of-the-art microcapsules for improving its pharmacokinetics
Ahmed Gedawy1, Hani Al-Salami2, Crispin R Dass1,3
1School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia.
Abstract:
Metformin was originally derived from a botanical ancestry and became the most prescribed, first-line therapy for Type 2 diabetes in most countries. In the last century, metformin was discovered twice for its antiglycemic properties in addition to its antimalarial and anti-influenza effects. Metformin exhibits flip-flop pharmacokinetics with limited oral bioavailability. This review outlines metformin pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and recent advances in polymeric particulate delivery systems as a potential tool to target metformin delivery to specific tissues/organs. This interesting biguanide is being rediscovered this century for multiple clinical indications as anticancer, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer's and much more. Microparticulate delivery systems of metformin may improve its oral bioavailability and optimize the therapeutic goals expected.
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