{
  "id": 5325337,
  "title": "Diabetes drug metformin could be repurposed to help slow aging mechanisms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/diabetes-drug-metformin-could-be-repurposed-to-help-slow-aging",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-03T12:20:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-diabetes-drug-metformin-repurposed-aging.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Metformin, a common medication for type 2 diabetes, may hold promise in slowing down the aging process. This drug works by tricking cells into sensing an energy shortage, similar to fasting or dieting, which activates a key energy sensor called AMPK. This activation promotes cellular waste cleanup and supports repair mechanisms. Researchers have reviewed decades of research, indicating that metformin could act as a geroprotective agent, targeting the root causes of aging and potentially improving health span. Studies on animals, such as male monkeys and humans, have shown that metformin can make tissues biologically younger and even reverse brain aging by nearly six years in humans. Additionally, people taking metformin have been observed to have biological ages up to 3.43 years younger, with those with diabetes living up to 15% longer. As the global population ages, age-related diseases like metabolic disorders, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and osteoarthritis are becoming more prevalent. These conditions not only affect quality of life but also put significant strain on healthcare systems. Geroscience, a new field of study, focuses on targeting the biological drivers of aging to help people stay healthier for longer. While research on metformin's potential aging benefits is mixed, findings from various species and biological systems suggest that it may act on multiple aging-related processes simultaneously. Metformin can trigger autophagy, the cell's waste clearance system, and stabilize DNA by affecting DNA methylation. It also positively impacts the gut microbiome, promoting beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acid production. However, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm metformin's efficacy in healthy adults without diabetes.",
  "summary": "Metformin, a widely prescribed, safe and inexpensive drug for type 2 diabetes, is a first-line treatment that lowers blood sugar and improves the body's response to insulin. The drug appears to trick cells into sensing an energy shortage, similar to what happens during fasting or dieting. This activates a key cellular energy sensor called AMPK, which helps trigger cellular waste cleanup and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Metformin, diabetes drug, may slow aging process",
    "Triggers cellular energy sensor AMPK activation",
    "Improves health span, reverses brain aging"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}