Scientists and science communicators detail how caustic compounds meant to deter eaters of plants were harnessed to treat diabetes
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Metformin for use as a diabetes drug more than 30 years ago. This medicinal compound—prescribed to patients to help control high blood sugar—was discovered in nature through a toxic herb found in a variety of medieval remedies.
Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists Ani Deshpande, PhD, and Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD, recently released episode six of the Discovery Dialogues Podcast focused on Metformin and other medications with origins as plant poisons. The podcast features surgeon and writer Ambarish Satwik, MD, as well as endocrinologist David Nathan, MD, and Nir Barzilai, MD, a geneticist and longevity researcher.
The new episode of the Discovery Dialogues Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.