Research progress of metformin in the treatment of hair-related diseases

Abstract

Metformin is the first-line drug to treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recently, clinical and preclinical studies have been investigated the therapeutic effect of metformin in hair disorders. Metformin can improve hyperandrogenemia-induced hirsutism by reducing circulating insulin concentrations and inhibiting androgen levels. In addition, it has therapeutic effects on telogen alopecia and cicatricial alopecia by promoting scalp hair regeneration throughactivation of multiple mechanisms such as AMP-activated protein kinase pathway. This review aims to presentclinical applications and the potential therapeutic mechanisms of metformin in the treatment of hair diseases.

Keywords

• metformin
• hair regeneration
• alopecia
• hirsutism
• polycystic ovary syndrome