Fig. 1.

Anti-ageing mechanisms of metformin. Metformin impacts on mechanisms of ageing, preventing DNA damage and inflammation; it activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway, blocking inflammatory-cytokine mediated DNA translation. It also prevents DNA damage from excess production of superoxide by directly decreasing ROS synthesis via reverse electron flux, and by inhibiting mTOR signalling pathways that result in superoxide production. IRAK4, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4; JAK, Janus kinase signalling pathway; ${\mathrm{O}}_2^{-}$, superoxide; PIKK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase