Nikhill Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 20, 2024 6 hours, 19 minutes ago
Medical News: Metformin, a widely used medication for managing type 2 diabetes, has garnered significant attention for its potential role in treating various viral infections. While initially recognized for its glucose-lowering properties, metformin has demonstrated antiviral effects against a range of pathogens, including influenza, HIV, hepatitis viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and others.
Metformin as a Potential Antiviral
Researchers from I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Uzhhorod National University, the University of Bergen in Ukraine, and the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences in London have extensively studied its mechanisms. Their findings suggest metformin could serve as a versatile tool in the fight against viral diseases.
How Metformin Works Against Viruses
Metformin’s antiviral properties stem from its ability to modulate cellular processes that viruses rely on for replication. It activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which shifts cellular energy usage away from pathways conducive to viral proliferation. This
Medical News report highlights its broader effects, including inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating immune responses. Such mechanisms collectively disrupt viral replication, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune functionality.
Key Findings Across Viral Infections
-Influenza
Influenza viruses, particularly types A and B, present a recurring global health challenge due to their ability to cause seasonal epidemics. Metformin has shown potential in mitigating the severity of influenza by activating AMPK and downregulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Research demonstrates that metformin-treated animal models exhibit lower viral loads, reduced lung inflammation, and improved survival rates.
-SARS-CoV-2
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred interest in repurposing existing drugs like metformin. Its ability to dampen hyperinflammation, a hallmark of severe COVID-19 cases, has been particularly noted. By modulating the mTOR pathway and improving mitochondrial function, metformin reduces oxidative stress and supports cellular resilience. Observational studies have shown lower hospitalization rates and reduced mortality among diabetic COVID-19 patients who were on metformin therapy.
-Hepatitis Viruses
Hepatitis C (HCV) and B (HBV) infections are major contributors to chronic liver disease. Metformin’s effects in these cases are multifaceted. It inhibits HSC activation, reducing fibrosis progression in the liver, and improves insulin sensitivity, addressing a common comorbidity in these patients. Additionally, it may directly interfere with viral replication, although the precise mechanisms require further exploration.
-HIV
Metformin’s role in HIV management is emerging as a complement to antiretroviral therapies. By modulating T-cell activation and re
ducing chronic inflammation, it addresses one of the major challenges of long-term HIV management: immune system hyperactivation. Studies suggest that metformin’s ability to enhance gut microbiota diversity could further support immune regulation in people living with HIV.
Broader Applications
Beyond these major viruses, metformin has shown potential against cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Zika, dengue, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Its effects are often linked to common pathways such as mTOR inhibition and oxidative stress reduction. For arboviruses like Zika and dengue, metformin’s ability to mitigate ROS production disrupts viral replication cycles, potentially reducing disease severity.
Implications for Future Research
Despite promising findings, further research is crucial to fully understand metformin’s antiviral effects. Clinical trials exploring its efficacy across various viral infections will help determine appropriate dosing strategies and identify potential limitations. Researchers also emphasize the importance of investigating metformin’s interactions with other antiviral medications to optimize combination therapies.
Conclusion
Metformin’s potential as an antiviral agent underscores the importance of repurposing existing drugs to address global health challenges. Its ability to target host cellular pathways rather than the virus itself reduces the likelihood of resistance development. From influenza and COVID-19 to chronic hepatitis and HIV, metformin’s diverse mechanisms of action make it a promising candidate for adjunctive antiviral therapies. As ongoing studies further elucidate its effects, metformin may emerge as a cornerstone in the treatment of viral diseases.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Viruses.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1938
For the latest on Metformin, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/metformin-shows-promise-in-fatty-liver-disease-and-lowering-blood-fat-levels
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/-metformin-a-surprising-new-hope-for-pancreatic-tumor-treatment
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/how-sars-cov-2-spike-protein-triggers-neurodegenerative-diseases-and-the-potential-of-metformin-as-a-therapeutic-remedy
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/metformin-targets-colorectal-cancer-cell-growth-via-mirna-regulation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/metformin-shows-potential-as-an-angiogenic-supplemental-adjuvant-for-glioblastoma-treatment
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/metformin-use-is-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-developing-certain-blood-cancers
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/metformin-s-impact-on-immune-response-genes-and-gut-microbiota-in-covid-19-patients-with-type-2-diabetes
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-weill-cornell-study-finds-that-sars-cov-2-infects-and-triggers-senescence-of-dopamine-neurons-metformin-helps
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/cancer-news-austrian-study-finds-that-metformin-might-be-useful-for-treatment-of-metastatic-prostate-cancer
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/drug-news-metformin-the-wonder-drug-now-shown-to-be-able-to-prevent-muscle-atrophy-and-muscular-fibrosis-in-a-randomized-clinical-trial
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news-metformin-shows-remarkable-results-in-reducing-sars-cov-2-viral-loads-in-phase-3-randomized-clinical-trial-conducted-in-america
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-u-s-randomized-clinical-trial-findings-published-in-lancet-shows-that-metformin-reduces-risk-of-developing-long-covid-by-40-percent
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/metformin-and-leucine:-a-novel-anti-aging-tool-combating-muscle-atrophy-and-cellular-senescence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/med-news-stanford-study-find-metformin-use-is-associated-with-lower-incidence-of-osteoarthritis
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/long-covid-news-university-of-minnesota-study-shows-that-early-use-of-metformin-during-sars-cov-2-infection-can-prevent-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/yet-another-study,-this-time-led-by-scientists-from-the-university-of-minnesota-shows-that-metformin-decreases-risk-of-covid-19-severity
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/cleveland-clinic-and-northwestern-university-study-shows-that-metformin-could-be-repurposed-to-treat-atrial-fibrillation-findings-relevant-in-covid-se
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/spanish-study-shows-that-metformin-glucophage-lowers-risk-of-disease-severity-and-fatal-outcomes-in-diabetic-patients-infected-with-covid-19
Share
Tweet
Share
