Abstract
Due to its anti-hyperglycemic effect, metformin is the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly in people who are obese. However, metformin is a drug with a very wide range of pharmacological properties and reports of its therapeutic effect on diseases including inflammation and cancer are increasing. Numerous research groups have reported that metformin has beneficial effects on a variety of inflammatory skin disorders including psoriasis, acanthosis nigricans, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and allergic contact dermatitis. According to these reports, in addition to the well-known action of metformin, that is, its anti-hyperglycemic effect, NF-kB inhibition and the resulting alteration to the cytokine network may be the potential targets of metformin. Its anti-hyperandrogenism effect has also been confirmed as the major action of metformin in some inflammatory skin diseases. Moreover, novel regulatory mechanisms, including autophagy and antioxidant processes, have been suggested as promising mechanisms of action for metformin in inflammatory skin disorders.
Highlights
Metformin is an oral anti-hyperglycemic drug that acts as an insulin sensitizer by reducing liver glucose production and increasing glucose utilization by muscle and fat cells [1]
When patients with juvenile acanthosis nigricans associated with obesity and insulin resistance received metformin treatment, it was reported that acanthosis nigricans was completely cured, and this clinical result seems to be due to the normalization of hyperinsulinemia [57]
We have summarized information on the beneficial effects of metformin on inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis, acanthosis nigricans, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and allergic contact dermatitis
Summary
Metformin is an oral anti-hyperglycemic drug that acts as an insulin sensitizer by reducing liver glucose production and increasing glucose utilization by muscle and fat cells [1]. Recent studies have shown that metformin has an anti-platelet aggregation effect, which reduces the rate of production of the final glycated end products and reduces cellular oxidation reactions, and demonstrates its antioxidant effects [1]. These findings regarding the beneficial effects of metformin on cholesterol level and platelet aggregation, along with the previously mentioned blood sugar control effects, clearly demonstrate the vaso-protective effects of metformin. In a case-controlled and cohort study of people with type 2 diabetes, metformin treatment was associated with reduced cancer risk and cancer mortality [5,6].
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