ReviewClinical science (London, England : 1979)2012
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of metformin: an overview.
Review in Clinical science (London, England : 1979), 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 5 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 746 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Metformin in Treatment of Moderate Psoriasis: A Prospective Randomized Double Blind Controlled Study
The Effects of Neoadjuvant Metformin on Tumour Cell Proliferation and Tumour Progression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Metformin Pharmacology in Human Cancers
Prevention of Pre-eclampsia Using Metformin: a Randomized Control Trial
A Multi-center, Prospective, Cohort Study to Elucidate the Effects of Metformin Treatment on Steroid Hormones and Social Behavior. Linking Autistic Behaviorial Symptoms to Changes in Steroid Hormone Availability
Who cites it
746 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 1,682 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparative efficacy of pharmacological interventions on metabolic and hormonal outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome: a Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized controlled trials.BMC women's health · 2025Pooled it
- Integrated meta-analysis and network pharmacology analysis: evaluation of Zhigancao decoction as treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy.Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2025Pooled it
- Metformin for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024 · on this mapPooled it
- Influence of Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 1 (Current diabetes reviews · 2024Pooled it
- Adjunctive use of locally delivered host-modulators in intra-bony defects as part of step 2 periodontal therapy: systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.Evidence-based dentistry · 2023Pooled it
- Effects of Metformin on Risk and Prognosis of Biliary Tract Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2023Pooled it
- Metformin's Role in Hyperlactatemia and Lactic Acidosis in ICU Patients: A Systematic Review.Pharmacology · 2023Pooled it
- Continuous use of metformin in patients receiving contrast medium: what is the evidence? A systematic review and meta-analysis.European radiology · 2022Pooled it
- Effectiveness and mechanism of metformin in animal models of pulmonary fibrosis: A preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Pooled it
- Effects of combined metformin and cabergoline versus metformin alone on inflammatory markers in Iraqi patients with PCOS and hyperprolactinemia: a randomized clinical trial.Journal of medicine and life · 2026Trial
- Metformin attenuates metabolic insulin sensitivity and insulin-stimulated carbohydrate oxidation after high-intensity exercise training in adults at risk for metabolic syndrome.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2026Trial
- Metformin Blunts Vascular Insulin Sensitivity After Exercise Training in Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2026Trial
- Metformin Downregulates the STAT Pathway and Reduces Bone Marrow Fibrosis in Primary Myelofibrosis Patients: Final Results of the Phase II FIBROMET Trial.Hematological oncology · 2026Trial
- Combination of metformin and double antibiotic paste for the regeneration of non-vital immature teeth: a preliminary randomized clinical study.BMC oral health · 2023Trial
- Effects of combined metformin and cabergoline versus metformin alone on ovarian and hormonal activities in Iraqi patients with PCOS and hyperprolactinemia: a randomized clinical trial.Journal of medicine and life · 2023Trial
- A randomized clinical trial comparing low-fat with precision nutrition-based diets for weight loss: impact on glycemic variability and HbA1c.The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2023Trial
- Circulating selenoprotein P levels predict glucose-lowering and insulinotropic effects of metformin, but not alogliptin: A post-hoc analysis.Journal of diabetes investigation · 2023Trial
- Short-term effect of beinaglutide combined with metformin versus metformin alone on weight loss and metabolic profiles in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot randomized trial.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2023Trial
- AMPK-Directed Therapeutics for MASLD: Mechanistic Rationale, Activator Classes, and Clinical Translation.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Lichen-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk: Experimental Evidence, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges.Biomedicines · 2026Review
686 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Considerable efforts have been made since the 1950s to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of metformin, a potent antihyperglycaemic agent now recommended as the first-line oral therapy for T2D (Type 2 diabetes). The main effect of this drug from the biguanide family is to acutely decrease hepatic glucose production, mostly through a mild and transient inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. In addition, the resulting decrease in hepatic energy status activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a cellular metabolic sensor, providing a generally accepted mechanism for the action of metformin on hepatic gluconeogenesis. The demonstration that respiratory chain complex I, but not AMPK, is the primary target of metformin was recently strengthened by showing that the metabolic effect of the drug is preserved in liver-specific AMPK-deficient mice. Beyond its effect on glucose metabolism, metformin has been reported to restore ovarian function in PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), reduce fatty liver, and to lower microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with T2D. Its use has also recently been suggested as an adjuvant treatment for cancer or gestational diabetes and for the prevention in pre-diabetic populations. These emerging new therapeutic areas for metformin will be reviewed together with recent findings from pharmacogenetic studies linking genetic variations to drug response, a promising new step towards personalized medicine in the treatment of T2D.
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Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.