Repurposing of Metformin for the prevention and treatment of Tuberculosis

Abstract The bidirectional relationship between tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major concern for medical professionals and epidemiologists as DM affects the severity, progress and outcome of TB and vice versa. Patients affected with TB have a higher rate of morbidity, treatment failure and mortality. Likewise, DM triples the risk of contracting TB and therefore poses a threat to the progress made in the reduction of TB incidence. Hence, it is pivotal to address both the diseases keeping in mind the each other. It is known that adjunct therapy with immunomodulatory drugs can enhance TB immunity among diabetic patients. Metformin, a commonly used anti-diabetic drug with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation property, has shown the capacity to reduce the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the cell. This drug inhibits the mitochondrial complex and possesses anti-inflammatory action. Therefore, Metformin can be considered as an ideal molecule for host-directed or host-targeted therapy for TB.

Inhalant abuse- A rising public health problem.

These days inhalant abuse is common in both rural and urban settings. Laymen and professionals alike are negligent of this abuse. It is widely seen in children and can sometimes follow into adulthood too. Children try it out initially due to their anxiousness but later on get addicted to it. Parents are more worried about their children being exposed to drugs like cocaine and marijuana. But the fact is that children are more addicted to the inhalants that are commonly found in household things. Even a single episode of inhalant abuse can result in serious health problems. It can seriously impair the vital organs like heart, brain and kidneys. Repeated abuse is seen due to the elated feel that they experience after its use that resembles alcohol consumption. It produces initial excitation, drowsiness, disinhibiting, wooziness and agitation. In order to prolong the period of intoxication, they abuse repeatedly which in severe cases can even lead to death. Other causes of death can be due to suffocation, seizures, and coma or due to choking. Detoxification programs along with proper support and care from the family and friends will help the abusers to bring back the lost colour in their life. A systemic review of various electronic bibliographic by utilizing suitable search terms were used to obtain the data.