Metformin:

Timeline

Prior to Twentieth Century

Galega Officinalis, otherwise known as goat’s rue or French Lilac, was used since medieval times to decrease the intensity of frequent urination in people who had diabetes, but never knew it. The flower would be given and administered through the mouth, and would alleviate frequent urination, one of the most common side effects of diabetes.

1929

Karl Slotta and R. Tschesche discover that glucose levels in rabbits decreased as a result of consumption of the French Lilac.

1950

Studies reveal that French Lilac also reduced blood pressure and heart rate in rabbits.
Eusibia Garcia uses French Lilac to treat influenza.

1957

Jean Sterne develops Metformin derived from Galega Officinalis and prescribes the new medication to diabetes patients. Sterne named the drug ‘Glucophage,’ which means ‘glucose-eater.’

1975

Canada approves Metformin to be used for treatment.

1995

The United States FDA approves Metformin to be used as treatment.

2-Deoxyglucose:

Timeline

1950

Researchers discover a glucose analogue and name it 2DeoxyDglucose, or 2DG. It was discovered that 2DG is similar to glucose in regards to its properties. Later, research indicated it was phosphorylated by the protein Hexokinase like glucose, and it acts the same as glucose in the first step of glycolysis.

2004

2DG doses are escalated in trials attempting to treat patients with advanced solid tumors resulting from Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, and Gastric Cancer.

2006-2011

Clinical trials to treat advanced cancer and Hormone Refractory Prostate cancer with 2DG begins in 2006 and ends in 2011.