The common diabetes drug metformin could prove to be a miracle cure for preserving youth; study shows promising results in monkeys

A recent study published in Cell highlights the potential of metformin, a widely used diabetes drug, to slow the aging process in monkeys. The research shows that daily doses of metformin can preserve cognitive function and delay the effects of aging in various tissues, particularly the brain. This finding suggests that metformin could one day be used to delay the aging process in humans.

Influence of metformin on cognitive function

In the study, led by Guanghui Liu and his team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 12 elderly male cynomolgus monkeys were given metformin for 40 months, equivalent to about 13 human years. The results showed that the monkeys treated with metformin experienced significantly slower cognitive decline than the untreated control group. The neural activity of these monkeys was similar to that of animals about six years younger, equivalent to about 18 human years, suggesting that metformin may help maintain brain health and cognitive function.

Effects on other tissues

Beyond the brain, the study also examined the effects of metformin on other tissues, including the lungs, kidney, liver, skin, and the frontal lobe of the brain. The drug was shown to slow biological aging in these tissues and reduce chronic inflammation, a common sign of aging. These results suggest that the benefits of metformin extend beyond preserving cognitive abilities and may also provide broader anti-aging effects.

Mechanisms and future research

Researchers hypothesized that metformin's anti-aging effects might be due to the activation of NRF2, a protein that protects cells from inflammation and injury. While the study focused primarily on healthspan – the period during which an organism remains in good health – it did not examine the drug's effects on overall lifespan.

Challenges and next steps

Despite the promising results, the study has limitations, including a small sample size of male monkeys. More research is needed to determine whether these effects are the same across genders and in larger populations. Liu and his team are currently conducting a study with 120 human participants in collaboration with Merck to test the effects of metformin on the human aging process. In addition, plans are in the works for a large-scale study of 3,000 people ages 65 to 79 to further investigate the drug's potential to extend health span and improve quality of life in older adults.

The study provides new insight into metformin's potential beyond diabetes treatment and highlights its potential role in promoting healthier aging. While these initial results are encouraging, more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm the effects of metformin on human health and longevity.