Research Article

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds

Volume: 10 Number: 2 September 1, 2026
EN TR

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the in vitro antibacterial activity of metformin hydrochloride against reference strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis associated with diabetic wound infections. Methods: P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, S. aureus ATCC 25923, E. coli ATCC 25922, and E. faecalis ATCC 29212 were used. The antibacterial activity of metformin hydrochloride was evaluated using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Minimum bactericidal concentrations were determined by subculturing samples from wells without visible bacterial growth onto Mueller–Hinton agar. The experiments were performed in three technical replicates. Results: No measurable inhibition zone was observed for any of the tested strains in the agar well diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 64 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli and 128 mg/mL for E. faecalis. The minimum bactericidal concentration was 128 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa and E. coli and greater than 128 mg/mL for S. aureus and E. faecalis. Conclusion: Metformin hydrochloride exhibited species-dependent antibacterial activity. A bactericidal endpoint was achieved for P. aeruginosa and E. coli, whereas no definitive bactericidal endpoint was reached for the Gram-positive strains within the tested concentration range. These findings demonstrate that the antibacterial activity of metformin may vary according to the evaluation method and provide preliminary data for investigating its potential in local or controlled-release systems.

Keywords

Project Number

1919B012472944

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was not required for this in vitro study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Microbiology (Other), Medical Bacteriology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 1, 2026

Submission Date

July 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

APA
Demirbilek, M. E., Zıkşahna, K., & Ekenoğlu Merdan, Y. (2026). In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds. Journal of Biotechnology and Strategic Health Research, 10(2), 112-119. https://doi.org/10.34084/bshr.2001956
AMA
1.Demirbilek ME, Zıkşahna K, Ekenoğlu Merdan Y. In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds. J Biotechnol and Strategic Health Res. 2026;10(2):112-119. doi:10.34084/bshr.2001956
Chicago
Demirbilek, Melis Esma, Kaan Zıkşahna, and Yağmur Ekenoğlu Merdan. 2026. “In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated With Diabetic Wounds”. Journal of Biotechnology and Strategic Health Research 10 (2): 112-19. https://doi.org/10.34084/bshr.2001956.
EndNote
Demirbilek ME, Zıkşahna K, Ekenoğlu Merdan Y (September 1, 2026) In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds. Journal of Biotechnology and Strategic Health Research 10 2 112–119.
IEEE
[1]M. E. Demirbilek, K. Zıkşahna, and Y. Ekenoğlu Merdan, “In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds”, J Biotechnol and Strategic Health Res, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 112–119, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.34084/bshr.2001956.
ISNAD
Demirbilek, Melis Esma - Zıkşahna, Kaan - Ekenoğlu Merdan, Yağmur. “In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated With Diabetic Wounds”. Journal of Biotechnology and Strategic Health Research 10/2 (September 1, 2026): 112-119. https://doi.org/10.34084/bshr.2001956.
JAMA
1.Demirbilek ME, Zıkşahna K, Ekenoğlu Merdan Y. In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds. J Biotechnol and Strategic Health Res. 2026;10:112–119.
MLA
Demirbilek, Melis Esma, et al. “In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated With Diabetic Wounds”. Journal of Biotechnology and Strategic Health Research, vol. 10, no. 2, Sept. 2026, pp. 112-9, doi:10.34084/bshr.2001956.
Vancouver
1.Melis Esma Demirbilek, Kaan Zıkşahna, Yağmur Ekenoğlu Merdan. In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Metformin Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Associated with Diabetic Wounds. J Biotechnol and Strategic Health Res. 2026 Sep. 1;10(2):112-9. doi:10.34084/bshr.2001956

Journal of Biotechnology and Strategic Health Research