The anti‐inflammatory effect of metformin: The molecular targets

• Published in: Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 183 - 191
• Main Author: Sakata, Natsumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2024; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents - metabolism; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Gluconeogenesis; Humans; Inflammation; Liver - metabolism; Metformin; Metformin - metabolism; Metformin - pharmacology; Metformin - therapeutic use; Review; cytokine; cardiovascular disease; metformin; inflammation; diabetes
• ISSN: 1356-9597; 1365-2443; 1365-2443
• DOI: 10.1111/gtc.13098

Metformin is an anti‐diabetic drug. Metformin mainly inhibits gluconeogenesis in the liver and reduces blood sugar. In addition to the anti‐diabetic effects, many studies have revealed that metformin has anti‐inflammatory effects. Various molecules were suggested to be the target of the metformin's anti‐inflammatory effects. However, the conclusion is not clear. Metformin is related to a number of molecules and the identification of the main target in anti‐inflammatory effects leads to the understanding of inflammation and metformin. In this article, I discuss each suggested molecule, involved mechanisms, and their relationship with various diseases.