Open AccessMetformin: A Potential Candidate for Targeting Aging Mechanisms
Author(s) -
Die Hu,
Fangfang Xie,
Yongshun Xiao,
Lu Chen,
Jianing Zhong,
Defa Huang,
Chen Jie,
JiFu Wei,
Yu Jiang,
Tianyu Zhong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
aging and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.808
H-Index - 54
ISSN - 2152-5250
DOI - 10.14336/ad.2020.0702
Subject(s) - metformin , medicine , pharmacology , diabetes mellitus , bioinformatics , endocrinology , biology
Aging is a universal phenomenon in all biological organisms, defined by the loss of reproductive capacity and a progressive decline in fitness. In humans, aging is further associated with an increased incidence of disease conditions. The current aging population has become a primary public burden of the 21 st century. Therefore, to delay the aging process and maintain fitness in the aging population, the discovery of novel anti-aging drugs remains an urgent need. In recent years, metformin, a widely used hypoglycemic drug, has attracted growing attention in the field of anti-aging research. Reportedly, numerous studies have indicated that metformin regulates aging-related pathways, possibly delaying the aging process by modulating these pathways. The elucidation of these anti-aging effects may provide insights into the age-retarding potential of metformin. The present review focuses on the predominant molecular mechanisms associated with aging, as well as the anti-aging effects of metformin.