Diabetes drug shows promise on Covid-19 lung effects
Date: 16 June 2021 Tags: MiscellaneousIssue
Studies have shown that metformin drug used in diabetes treatment has the ability to reduce lung inflammation in mice infected with SARS CoV-2 virus.
Background
The drug, metformin, is used in early therapy for diabetes type-2 condition as it can lower sugar in blood.
Details
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The researchers from University of California San Diego (UCSD) were studying the anti-inflammatory mechanism showed by the metformin drug in mice models.
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To check the efficacy of the drug, they selected mice showing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this condition, fluids leak into the lungs and causes difficulty in breathing.
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The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was a major reason for death of patients admitted in hospitals due to Covid-19 infection.
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The mice were administered metformin drug before or after exposure to the bacteria that caused pneumonia.
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The drug was able to restrict the onset of symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and reduce pulmonary inflammation. Mortality rate also decreased significantly.