METFORMIN: A NOVEL ANTIDIABETIC DRUG OF BOTANICAL ORIGIN

Many of the currently available drugs in the market have been directly or indirectly derived from plants and one of the best example is metformin synthesized in 1922 from the noxious weed, Galega officinalis. Metformin (1-1-Dimethyl-biguanide) (C4H11N5) is a synthetic biguanide orally effective and insulin sensitizing anti-diabetic drug. The hypoglycaemic drug metformin is derived from Galegine, which is found naturally in Goat’s rue (Gallega officinalis). The common names of Galega officinalis include Goat’s Rue, French lilac, Spanish sanfoin, False indigo, Professor weed and Italian fitch. Biguanides such as metformin are widely used worldwide for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. The identification of guanidine and related compounds in French lilac plant (Galega officinalis L.) led to the development of biguanides. Therefore, natural source of galegine, which is a precursor of metformin is widely used as an oral antidiabetic agent. French lilac (Gallega officinais) is rich in guanidine, a substance with blood glucose-lowering (hypoglycaemic) activity that is present in the basic structure of metformin