The Plant Behind Metformin

 Galega Officinalis: The Plant Behind Metformin

Galega officinalis, commonly known as goat's rue or French lilac, is a perennial herb native to temperate regions and serves as the natural source for the antidiabetic drug metformin through its active compounds like galegine and guanidine. Traditionally used in medieval Europe for conditions such as plague, snake bites, and diabetes, the plant's aboveground parts contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins that contribute to its medicinal properties.

Galega Officinalis | © Vexplorehealth 

Botanical Properties

This herb features white, blue, or purple flowers and grows widely in Europe and other temperate areas. Key phytochemicals include galegine, which lowers blood glucose by promoting peripheral tissue uptake and delaying intestinal absorption, and guanidine derivatives that inspired synthetic metformin. It also exhibits diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and diaphoretic effects, aiding in fluid retention, bacterial infections, and fever-induced sweating.

Traditional and Modern Uses

Historically applied for diabetes, digestive issues, worms, and tuberculosis, goat's rue supports blood purification, adrenal and pancreatic stimulation, and liver protection. Modern research highlights its antidiabetic potential, with extracts outperforming metformin in some blood glucose-lowering tests on diabetic models, alongside benefits for insulin sensitivity, weight management, and metabolic syndrome. Additional uses include treating anemia, fatigue, constipation, and rheumatic pain. 

Scope in Homeopathy

 In homeopathy, Galega officinalis mother tincture (Q) addresses diabetes mellitus type II, showing hypoglycemic effects in clinical studies with 30 patients, relieving symptoms and improving diagnostics. It boosts breast milk production and quality in nursing mothers, enhances appetite and digestion, and eases backache, debility, and joint pains from rheumatism or arthritis.

 Typical dosing involves 3-5 drops in water three times daily, often for anemia, exhaustion, PCOD, or pancreatic issues, positioning it as a holistic energy booster and metabolic aid. 

Comparing Galega officinalis constituents to metformin's structure.

Galega officinalis contains the active phytochemical galegine, also known as 2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)guanidine, with the molecular formula C6H13N3. Structurally, galegine is a guanidine derivative with an alkyl side chain attached to the guanidine functional group. 

Its structure can be described by the IUPAC name 2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)guanidine, indicating it has a 3-methylbut-2-enyl group attached to the nitrogen of guanidine. This compound is a strong base and has biological activity related to blood glucose regulation .

Metformin, chemically known as 1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride, has the molecular formula C4H11N5·HCl.

 It is a synthetic biguanide derivative consisting of two guanidine groups linked by a nitrogen atom with two methyl groups attached. The biguanide structure is related to guanidine but has an expanded framework with enhanced pharmacological properties. 

Metformin acts primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity.