Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, volume 36, issue 4, pages 364-372
The direct targets of metformin in diabetes and beyond
Luxia Yao
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
,
Hao Wang
1, 4
,
Runshuai Zhang
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
,
Alexander Soukas
6
,
Lianfeng Wu
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
|
2
Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
5
Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
|
Publication type: Journal Article
Publication date: 2025-04-01
scimago Q1
SJR: 2.927
CiteScore: 20.1
Impact factor: 11.4
ISSN: 10432760, 18793061
Abstract
Metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic drug that has been in use for over 60 years, remains a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Numerous studies have suggested that metformin promotes health benefits beyond T2D management, including weight loss, cancer prevention and treatment, and anti-aging, through several proposed mechanistic targets. Here we discuss the established effects of metformin and the progress made in identifying its direct targets. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of elucidating the structural bases of the drug and its direct targets. Ultimately, this review aims to highlight the current state of knowledge regarding metformin and its related emerging discoveries, while also outlining critical future research directions.
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