Project title: MetHerb: Enhancing the efficacy and tolerability of metformin in the analysis of gut microbiome by add-on polyherbal formulation

Project No.: lzp-2023/1-0422

Period: 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2026

Project costs: 300 000,00

Principal Investigator: Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība

Cooperation partner: Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital

Project summary:

Metformin is recognized as the best choice for initial treatment of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus having several advantages over other types of anti-diabetic medications. However, metformin is widely described as poorly tolerated due to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) side effects. Our previous studies have shown that metformin treatment induces shifts in the taxonomic and functional profile of the gut microbiome. It is observed that co-administration of probiotics with metformin has shown beneficial effects on reducing GIT side effects of metformin. In addition to probiotics, prebiotics such as polyherbal formulations are also widely considered in the treatment of GIT dysbiosis. The project is based on the hypothesis that a polyherbal formulation as an add-on treatment has the ability to improve the outcome of conventional antidiabetic therapy by targeting the composition of the gut microbiome. The overall aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of interactions between metformin and traditionally used polyherbal formulations on gut microbiota in a prospective crossover study involving type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

We suppose that the study will bring forward an alternative approach to impact the gut microbiome by polyherbal formulation providing a more effective clinical use. It is expected that the implementation of the project will advance the development of drug-supplementary-based solutions for the treatment of metabolic disease.

Information published 02.01.2024.