Vasculo-Protective Cover: A Novel Action of Metformin

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is associated with multiple changes/complications in the body that affects almost every organ and system. In the cardiovascular system main pathology lies in the vascular endothelium leading to atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Different treatment options are available for diabetes including both oral and injectable drugs. Oral drugs have better compliance like Sulfonylureas, Alpha glucosidase inhibitors, Glitazones and Maglitinides. These groups of anti-hyperglycemic drugs maintain blood glucose level, providing diabetics cost effective better life through a physiological route. However, it has been documented that these drugs do not delay vascular complications in diabetic patients. Metformin is the first line oral anti-diabetic drug from biguanide group used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a euglycemic agent which decreases glucose levels and have additional benefit of decreasing the progression of vascular effects in multiple ways.