Repurposing Metformin for Dermatological Use: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Clinical Perspectives

The review discusses the potential of repurposing metformin, an antidiabetic drug, for dermatological applications due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic effects. Metformin's activation of the AMPK pathway is key to its action, influencing inflammation, melanogenesis, and keratinocyte differentiation. Evidence from 28 studies suggests metformin's potential in treating acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, melasma, psoriasis, and androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with promising results in hair growth modulation. Preclinical studies indicate benefits in skin regeneration, photoaging, wound healing, and skin cancer. However, the review highlights the need for further clinical trials to confirm metformin's efficacy and safety, as current evidence is limited by a lack of standardized formulations and robust clinical data.