In the experiments of antihyperglycemic effects of natural products, many papers used metformin and other papers used sulfonylureas in STZ diabetic rats. I believe that sulfonylureas are inappropriate with STZ or alloxan diabetic animals, but appropriate with glucose-loaded animals
Metformin Hydrochloride (biguanides) is a plant based anti-diabetic drug commercialized which promotes glucose uptake by GLUT4 transporter and reduces glucose production in liver. On the other hand, Sulfonylureas induce endogenous insulin production. However, both the drugs may lead to hypoglycemia as disadvantage. But Sulfonylureas have yet another disadvantage which is renal failure and hence not recommended for long time usage. There are reports for using metformin for in vivo studies that use STZ or alloxan induced rat models. Please refer http://www.jnsbm.org/temp/JNatScBiolMed52288-6256052_014416.pdf
The hypoglycemic effect of metformin is by activating AMP kinase, while sulfonylurea is by stimulating beta cell to secret insulin. Since streptozotocin (STZ) or alloxan kills beta cells in the pancreas, use of sulfonylurea on STZ induced diabetic mice/rats will of course lead to a non-response (since there is few beta cells to stimulate).
Meformin have some advantage over the sulfonylurea. this is because metformin doesn't cause increase in body weight, it is also a good antioxidant, finally, Metformin has been shown to restore insulin secretion faster than other anti diabetic drug
As stated by Henry Tsai metformin is better since it enhances the effects of the insulin remaining in the STZ or Alloxan rats whereas sulfonylureas have to release insulin to produce a result. They will still work in alloxan and STZ rats depending on how much the insulin has been decrease by STZ or alloxan treatment. Metformin does not usually cause hypoglycemia in patients or in STZ rats.
metformin does not usually cause hypoglicemia... and it's the 1st line therapy in humans withh diabetes.
Use of metformin of sulfonylureas in depend on the dose of diabetogenic agents. As STZ or alloxan selectively destroys insulin producing beta cells therefore at higher dose of STZ or alloxan, sulfonylureas are not effective because sulfonylureas increases insulin release from beta cells. Sulfonylureas are effective only at lower dose of STZ or alloxan. Metformin dose not have to release insulin to produce results therefore it is effective in STZ or alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Metformin is better because you can reach a positive response without needing beta cells insulin secretion.
There are references in the literature vis-a-vis the usage of the two drugs as standards for antidiabetic study though metformin is better and more used but either of the two can be used depending on your comfortability
Metformin is the ist line therapy in diabetics and not effective in everyone while sulfunylureas is 2nd line therapy and is more effective to cause hypoglycemia, as it stimulates beta cells to secrete insulin as comapared to metformin.
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