Abstract
This article traces the roots of the antihyperglycaemic biguanide metformin from the use of Galega officinalis (goat's rue or French lilac) as a herbal treatment for the symptoms of diabetes. G. officinalis was found to be rich in guanidine, as a substance with blood glucose-lowering activity that formed the chemical basis of metformin. This insulin sensitising drug was introduced in 1957.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 115-117 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Practical Diabetes International |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2004 |
Keywords
- antidiabetic
- Galega officinalis
- metformin