Diabetes and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): Molecular mechanism of MAU etformin: Inordertomaintaincon intervention and the scientific basis of drug repurposing

Abstract

AU Coronavirus: Pleaseconfirmthatallheadinglevelsarerepresentedcorrectly Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a new strain : of coronavirus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SAU ARS-CoV-2),: PleasenotethatSARS was declared CoV a pan- 2hasbeen demic by WAU HO:on PleasenotethatasperPLOSstyle March 11, 2020. Soon after; donotusethewordtheinfrontofWHO its emergence in late December;2019, CIRMit ; oracronyms was hearticle noticed ; Metforminhasbeencapitalizedinthearticletitle that diabetic individuals were at:Pleasecheckifthisiscorrect an increased risk of; andamendifnecessary COVID-19–associated : complications, ICU admissions, and mortality. Maintaining proper blood glucose levels using insulin and/or other oral antidiabetic drugs (such as Metformin) reduced the detrimental effects of COVID-19. Interestingly, in diabetic COVID-19 patients, while insulin administration was associated with adverse outcomes, Metformin treatment was correlated with a significant reduction in disease severity and mortality rates among affected individuals. Metformin was extensively studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral capabilities that would explain its ability to confer cardiopulmonary and vascular protection in COVID-19. Here, we describe the various possible molecular mechanisms that contribute to Metformin therapy’s beneficial effects and lay out the scientific basis of repurposing Metformin for use in COVID-19 patients.