一种有效的 AMPK 活化剂，也是具有口服活性的双胍类降血糖试剂 (antidiabetic agent)。Buformin 降低肝糖异生并降低血糖生成。Buformin 也具有抗癌活性，可以应用于癌症研究，如宫颈癌、乳腺癌等。
Buformin (1-butylbiguanide) is an oral antidiabetic drug of the biguanide class, chemically related to metformin and phenformin. Buformin was marketed by German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal as Silubin. Buformin delays absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract, increases insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake into cells, and inhibits synthesis of glucose by the liver. Buformin and the other biguanides are not hypoglycemic, but rather antihyperglycemic agents. They do not produce hypoglycemia; instead, they reduce basal and postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetics.[5] Biguanides may antagonize the action of glucagon, thus reducing fasting glucose levels.