SynthesisDrug delivery and translational research2025
Exploring multifaceted roles of metformin in therapeutic applications, mechanistic insights, and innovations in drug delivery systems across biological contexts: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Drug delivery and translational research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Metformin use and risk of all-cause mortality in US adults with arthritis: a cohort study from NHANES 1999-2018.Clinical rheumatology · 2026Article
- Old Drug, New Science: Metformin and the Future of Pharmaceutics.Pharmaceutics · 2026Review
- Metformin modulates the phenotypes of tumor-associated macrophages in glioblastoma in a context-dependent manner by promoting the homeostasis of macrophages.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Article
- Repurposing metformin for cardioprotection: mechanisms and therapeutic potential across cardiovascular pathologies.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Metformin, a biguanide derivative, serves as a fundamental therapeutic agent in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is gaining recognition for its wider therapeutic applications, by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 priorities for promoting good health (SDG 3). This systematic review investigates the diverse roles of metformin, focusing on its therapeutic applications, mechanisms of action, and advancements in drug delivery systems. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework and an optimised search strategy within Scopus and Web of Science databases, 33 high-quality studies were identified and classified into three primary thematic domains:(1) Therapeutic Applications, emphasising metformin's role in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); (2) Mechanisms of Action, examining key pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I inhibition, and gut microbiota modulation; and (3) Innovations in Drug Delivery Systems, investigating advanced strategies including nanoparticles, pH-responsive hydrogels, and microneedles to enhance metformin's bioavailability, targeted delivery, and patient adherence. This review highlights the challenges of conventional metformin administration, such as gastrointestinal side effects and absorption limitations, while discussing advancements in drug delivery technologies designed to address these issues. Implementing metformin in non-diabetic contexts faces challenges related to cost and regulatory issues. This review synthesises evidence from preclinical and clinical studies, positioning metformin as a versatile therapeutic agent for various chronic conditions and highlighting the necessity for ongoing research into its mechanisms and delivery technologies. The findings indicate that metformin may play a role in enhancing sustainable healthcare solutions by promoting health equity and advancing global health objectives, consistent with SDG 2030.
Indexed as
Identifiers
40555912What 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.