Sumatera Medical Journal
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): Sumatera Medical Journal (SUMEJ)

Effectivity and Safety Profile of Metformin as an Adjuvant Immunomodulator in Psoriasis: A Literature Review

Jessica Tjia (Third Year Medical Student, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia)
Eugenia Agnes Rombelayuk (Third Year Medical Student, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia)
Muh. Iqra Romadhan (Third Year Medical Student, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 May 2025

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and reduced quality of life. Metformin, a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been investigated for its potential as an adjuvant therapy for psoriasis. Objective: This literature review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms by which metformin exerts immunomodulatory effects and assess clinical studies that evaluate its efficacy and safety profile. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MDPI, Epistemonikos, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library, with the keywords: metformin AND psoriasis AND immunomodulator AND safety. Results: Qualitative synthesis revealed that metformin exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic effects through induction of G0/G1 cycle arrest and  inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and Raf/MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Raf/MEK/ERK) pathways. These mechanisms correlate with improvements in psoriasis severity indices, including Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Erythema, Scaling, and Induration (ESI), and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scores (p < 0.05. A rare case of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome has been reported. Conclusion: Metformin demonstrates potential as an adjuvant immunomodulatory treatment for psoriasis. However, a rare adverse effect highlights the need for careful patient selection and evaluation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

smj

Publisher

Subject

Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Sumatera Medical Journal (SUMEJ) provides a forum for publishing the full research articles in the area of Medical Science related to topics from the following subject areas: -Cancer and Related Aspects -Biomoleculer in Basic Sciences -Biomoleculer in Clinical Sciences -Tissue Engineering including ...