ABSTRACT
Metformin is currently the first-line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and it is the most widely used oral hypoglycemic drug in the world. In addition to its significant hypoglycemic effect, metformin also has potential therapeutic effects on diseases such as tumors, obesity, thyroid diseases, polycystic ovarian diseases and cardiovascular diseases. However, the specific mechanism of action of metformin is still unclear. A large number of studies have shown that the regulation of energy metabolism by metformin is not only the core of its mechanism of action in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but also an important mechanism for its therapeutic effects in diseases such as tumors and cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the clinical application and related drug mechanisms of metformin in the treatment of non-diabetic diseases were summarized, so as to provide reference for the majority of medical workers, and look forward to a more in-depth exploration of its drug mechanism and clinical application in the future.