Biguanides
Biguanides (mainly Metformin) are widely prescribed antihyperglycemic agents that suppress hepatic glucose production, increase peripheral glucose uptake, and moderately reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels - Sigal Sofer
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Metformin: historical overview
Metformin (dimethylbiguanide) has become the preferred first-line oral blood glucose-lowering agent to manage type 2 diabetes. Its history is linked to Galega officinalis (also known as goat’s rue), a traditional herbal medicine in Europe, found to be rich in guanidine, which, in 1918, was shown to lower blood glucose.
Guanidine derivatives, including metformin, were synthesised and some (not metformin) were used to treat diabetes in the 1920s and 1930s but were discontinued due to toxicity and the increased availability of insulin.
Metformin was rediscovered in the search for antimalarial agents in the 1940s and, during clinical tests, proved useful to treat influenza…
Resources
GoodRx
Biguanides are used to treat diabetes type 2 and PCOS. They work by lowering blood sugar levels along with diet and exercise and by decreasing the amount of glucose that is absorbed. They also help to regulate menstrual cycles.
A new perspective on the biguanide, metformin therapy in type 2 diabetes and lactic acidosis
Recently, some interesting information has emerged that the gut might play an important role in hypoglycemic action by metformin through microbiota, the gut–brain–liver axis or the gut–pancreas network.
Review of Biguanide (Metformin) Toxicity
In the 1920s, guanidine, the active component of Galega officinalis, was shown to lower glucose levels and used to synthesize several antidiabetic compounds. Metformin (1,1 dimethylbiguanide) is the most well-known and currently the only marketed biguanide in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Metformin: historical overview
The awesome voyage of metformin from herbal beginnings to respected therapeutic agent has been turbulent. It was discovered, forgotten, rediscovered, repurposed, rejected, rescued, exonerated and may have further secrets to reveal.
Diabetes.co.uk
The term biguanide refers to a group of oral type 2 diabetes drugs that work by preventing the production of glucose in the liver, improving the body’s sensitivity towards insulin and reducing the amount of sugar absorbed by the intestines.
OptumRx
Although metformin is the sole biguanide in the class, it is available in various dosage forms including tablets, several forms of extended-release tablets, and an oral solution. This review includes the single-ingredient metformin products. Metformin is also available in combination products with several other classes of antihyperglycemic drugs; however, the combination products are not included in this review.
ScienceDirect
The biguanides are derivatives of guanidine, a naturally occurring substance found in vegetables such as turnips and cereals... Biguanides are usually supplied as polymers in the salt form, mostly as the hydrochloride.
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