title: Metformin: the hidden chronicles of a magic drug.
abstract: Metformin, a biguanide is well known treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus that has diverse mechanism of actions. Various studies have elucidated the role of this drug in different pathologies. The well-known United Kingdom Prospective Diabetic Study (UKPDS) has observed its survival benefits in a large cohort of individuals. Data has been conclusive that metformin also has beneficial role in lipid disorders as it improves the markers of metabolic syndrome. Studies have also shown the beneficial roles in antipsychotic induced weight gain as well as HIV lipodystrophy syndrome. Evidence is accumulating that metformin also improves the fertility in females with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It also delays aging and is effective in aging related disorders and is equally effective in inflammation related disorders at least in different rodent studies. Metformin's major effect has been shown in various cancers ranging from solid to hematological malignancies. Researchers are working to reveal more benefits of this magic drug but it remains an unexplored territory for the medical community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naeem
authors.forename: Nasir Ali
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rahimnajjad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin