The Potential Role of Metformin as a Weight Loss Drug in Non-Diabetic Individuals: A Comprehensive Review

Khan, Ubaid; Dehbandi, Behdad; Siddique, Hafiz Muhammad Waqas; Akhtar, Muhammd Farhan; Ullah, Zabeeh

doi:10.22038/rcm.2021.60312.1376

The Potential Role of Metformin as a Weight Loss Drug in Non-Diabetic Individuals: A Comprehensive Review

Document Type : Review

Authors

Ubaid Khan ¹

Behdad Dehbandi ²

Hafiz Muhammad Waqas Siddique ³

Muhammd Farhan Akhtar ³

Zabeeh Ullah ³

¹ King Edward Medical University Lahore Pakistan

² abi promedical center, Latvia

³ King Edward Medical University Lahore

10.22038/rcm.2021.60312.1376

Abstract

Recent clinical research studies evaluated metformin's potential effects as a weight-reducing drug in non-diabetic individuals despite its glucose-lowering effects. Metformin reduces weight by acting on the appetite regulatory pathways, peripheral fat metabolism, and averse unfavorable fat storage. Clinical recent findings indicated that individuals maintain weight with the help of lifestyle modifications and bariatric surgery. However, metformin's clinical efficacy on weight loss helped the individuals overcome overweight and obesity complications. Metformin alters the hypothalamic physiology, including insulin and leptin sensitivity. Furthermore, metformin regulates the circadian rhythm changes and gastrointestinal physiology by affecting food intake and regulating fat oxidation, storage fat in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissues. Research also indicated other appetite suppressing medications such as topiramate, lorcaserin, and phentermine along with metformin also seems logical but clinical data reported that their weight loss results are lacking. However, more detailed research on how metformin induces weight loss in non-diabetic individuals and the prescription of other pharmacological interventions is needed.

Keywords

Metformin

Obesity

Weight loss

Hypothalamus, Non-diabetic