Administration of metformin in clinical medicine; an updated mini-review on current findings

Metformin is in the biguanide class that has been considered as the treatment for insulin resistance diabetes and polycystic ovarian disease. Many mechanisms have been suggested for it such as inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, inhibition of glucagon-induced elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate with reduced activation of protein kinase A, an effect on gut microbiota and activation of adenosine monophosphateactivated protein kinase. Metformin is a suppressor for transforming growth factor-β1 via directly binding and interact with transforming growth factor-β1 receptor. Lactic acidosis is one of the adverse and noxious effects of metformin. Nowadays, metformin has an important role in inflammation pathways and antioxidant pathways that can prevent or decrease kidney fibrosis, cardiac remodeling in hypertensive heart disease, and cell death in cerebral ischemia, kidney crystal formation, immunological diseases and cancer. Although there has been strong evidence for the potential harm caused by metformin, several studies have shown beneficial effects for it. Hence, it is necessary to revision and modification in contraindications for prescription of this drug