Empagliflozin → Mood Disorders

Original Indication

Antidiabetic (Type 2 Diabetes), Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease

Proposed New Indication

Empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, shows promise in the treatment of mood disorders (major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder) through its multifaceted neuroprotective effects.

Proposed Mechanism

Targets: Neuroinflammation, Mitochondrial_Function, Autophagy, Neurotrophic_Factors

Empagliflozin exerts metabolic modulation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, mitochondrial protection, autophagy regulation, and enhances neurotrophic signaling, all contributing to its potential therapeutic role in mood disorders.

Evidence

Level: Review (Preclinical and Clinical Evidence)

Source: Guo, X., Yang, T., Fang, Y., & Chen, J. (2026). Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Mood Disorders: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms, Evidence, and Challenges. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 22, 599108.

Reference: PubMed 41978737

Repurposing Score