Title:Does Metformin Satisfy as an Option for Host-Directed Therapy in COVID-19?
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Pugazhenthan Thangaraju*, Atul Jindal, Sajitha Venkatesan, Meenalotchini P. Gurunthalingam, Nanditha Venkatesan and Eswaran Thangaraju
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical College Building, No. 2220, IInd Floor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur,India
Keywords:
Host, directed, therapies, metformin, COVID-19, hypothesized.
Abstract: Metformin is a dimethyl biguanide known for its anti-hyperglycemic effects since 1922
and, thus, has been used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Apart from this, its function
as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, and anti-microbial agent has also been
studied largely. Its effect via inhibition of respiratory complex 1 and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
(GPD2) in the mitochondria and inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex
1 (mTORC1) and activation of Adenosine Mono Phosphate dependent kinase (AMPK) in the cytoplasm
are its already known mechanisms of action. With the newer proposed effects on endosome/
lysosome regulation via Na+/H+ exchangers and V-ATPase, thereby affecting autophagy,
coupled with its use in ARDS owing to its immunomodulatory effects and anti-viral action, the use
of metformin against the novel Coronavirus is hypothesized.