BIGUANIDE Meaning and
Definition
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A biguanide is a class of chemical compounds characterized by containing the biguanide functional group, which is composed of two consecutive guanidine rings. These compounds generally exhibit medicinal properties and are commonly used in the fields of pharmacology, chemistry, and biology.
Biguanides have a diverse range of applications and are widely used due to their various therapeutic effects. They are employed as antihyperglycemic agents and are often used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Their mechanism of action involves reducing glucose production by the liver and improving insulin sensitivity in the body's tissues. Metformin, a common biguanide drug, is particularly notable for its role in managing blood glucose levels and is widely prescribed for diabetic patients.
Moreover, biguanides also possess antimalarial properties and have been employed in treating malaria. They are believed to interfere with crucial metabolic processes within the Plasmodium parasites, responsible for the disease. Additionally, these compounds possess antimicrobial properties, making them suitable for uses such as disinfection and sanitization. They can be found in various consumer products, including mouthwashes, skin cleansers, and antibacterial solutions.
In summary, biguanides refer to a class of chemical compounds characterized by the presence of the biguanide functional group. These compounds have versatile medicinal applications, including antihyperglycemic, antimalarial, and antimicrobial properties.
Common Misspellings for BIGUANIDE
- viguanide
- niguanide
- higuanide
- giguanide
- buguanide
- bjguanide
- bkguanide
- boguanide
- b9guanide
- b8guanide
- bifuanide
- bivuanide
- bibuanide
- bihuanide
- biyuanide
- bituanide
- bigyanide
- bighanide
- bigjanide
- bigianide
Etymology of BIGUANIDE
The word "biguanide" is derived from the chemical name "guanine", which is a compound found in the nucleotides of DNA and RNA. Guanine itself is derived from the French word "guanine", which comes from the Spanish word "guano" or "guanine", meaning "bird droppings". This is because guanine was originally isolated from guano, a substance composed of seabird excrement. The prefix "bi" in "biguanide" indicates that it contains two guanidine groups connected by a bridge. Therefore, the term "biguanide" refers to a class of chemical compounds containing two guanidine groups.
