Mild Biamidine-Transfer Conditions for the Synthesis of Aliphatic Biguanides

This study focuses on the development of new synthetic pathways to monosubstituted biguanides from amines. An exhaustive comparison of the conditions and reagents used for biamidine transfer was performed. New reagents were synthesized and optimized conditions for the synthesis of substituted biguanides under mild conditions were developed. Eventually, two high-yielding and straightforward protocols for the transfer of a biamidine group to various amines are proposed and their scope and limitations have been explored. These conditions include: i) a direct chromatography-free procedure and ii) an eco-friendly procedure in water compatible with bioinspired molecules. They are particularly efficient for the demanding conversion of aliphatic amines.

Biguanides drugs: Past success stories and promising future for drug discovery

Biguanides have attracted much attention a century ago and showed resurgent interest in recent years after a long period of dormancy. They constitute an important class of therapeutic agents suitable for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases. Therapeutic indications of biguanides include antidiabetic, antimalarial, antiviral, antiplaque, and bactericidal applications. This review presents an extensive overview of the biological activity of biguanides and different mechanisms of action of currently marketed biguanide-containing drugs, as well as their pharmacological properties when applicable. We highlight the recent developments in research on biguanide compounds, with a primary focus on studies on metformin in the field of oncology. We aim to provide a critical overview of all main bioactive biguanide compounds and discuss future perspectives for the design of new drugs based on the biguanide fragment.