Clinical perspectives and concerns of metformin as an anti-aging drug

Chuyao Wang; Bangwei Chen; Qian Feng; Chao Nie; Tao Li

doi:10.1002/agm2.12135

Clinical perspectives and concerns of metformin as an anti-aging drug

Aging Med (Milton). 2020 Dec 1;3(4):266-275. doi: 10.1002/agm2.12135. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Authors

Chuyao Wang^{1

2}, Bangwei Chen^{1

3}, Qian Feng^{1

4}, Chao Nie^{1

4}, Tao Li^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ BGI-Shenzhen Beishan Industrial Zone Shenzhen China.
² Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Rochester Rochester NY USA.
³ School of Biology and Biological Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou China.
⁴ China National GeneBank BGI-Shenzhen Shenzhen China.

Abstract

As percentages of elderly people rise in many societies, age-related diseases have become more prevalent than ever. Research interests have been shifting to delaying age-related diseases by delaying or reversing aging itself. We use metformin as an entry point to talk about the important molecular and genetic longevity-regulating mechanisms that have been extensively studied with it. Then we review a number of observational studies, animal studies, and clinical trials to reflect the clinical potentials of the mechanisms in lifespan extension, cardiovascular diseases, tumors, and neurodegeneration. Finally, we highlight remaining concerns that are related to metformin and future anti-aging research.

Keywords: aging; clinical pharmacology; longevity; metformin.

Publication types

Review