Hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and metabolic regulation activities of metforminium decavanadate (H2Metf)3 [V10O28]·8H2O using hypercaloric-induced carbohydrate and lipid deregulation in Wistar rats as biological model

•A hypercaloric diet was used to generate a metabolic altered state in rats.•Metformin–decavanadate compound regulates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in rats.•The dose of Metformin–decavanadate was 48,000 times lower than metformin alone.•Metforminium decavanadate acts as hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering agent and metabolic regulator.

Because of the increasing global spread of type 2 diabetes mellitus, there is a need to develop new antidiabetic agents. Recently we have synthesized new decavanadates using metformin as counterion. In particular, the compound containing three metforminium dications has been obtained in high yield and has been completely characterized. Biological studies using Wistar rats that have been fed with a high caloric diet inducing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome were carried out. Results of the impact on key biochemical parameters mediated by metformin alone and the new compound are here presented. The metforminium decavanadate (H2Metf)3[V10O28]·8H2O, abbreviated as Metf-V10O28, was shown to have pharmacological potential as a hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and metabolic regulator, since the resulting compound made of the two components with antidiabetic activities, reduces both dosage and time of administration (twice a week). Hence, due to the beneficial effects induced by the metforminium decavanadate we recommend to continue the exploration into the mechanism and toxicology of this new compound.

Graphical abstractThe metforminium decavanadate (H2Metf)3[V10O28]·8H2O abbreviated as Metf-V10O28, was shown to have pharmacological potential as a hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and metabolic regulator, since the compound is made of two antidiabetic components, reduces both dosage and time of administration (twice a week).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide