Centre of Drug-Dietary Supplements Interactions and Nutrigenetics

Centre of Excellence, Czech Science Foundation
(GA ČR - P303/12/G163)

Principal Investigator: Prof. Petr Pávek
Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové

Charles University

Time Period: 1. 1. 2012 – 31. 12. 2018
 

Aim

Dietary supplements containing natural compounds are increasingly popular. Dietary supplements became an alternative to classical medication and they are widely believed to be safe and without any adverse effects or interactions with drugs. However, some natural compounds present in high concentrations in dietary supplements are known to cause serious toxicities. Moreover, the toxicological profiles of certain supplements have not been systematically examined. The aim of the project is to evaluate interactions of selected natural constituents with drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters and nuclear receptors to predict possible interactions with clinically relevant drugs and further characterize biological properties of the natural compounds and their metabolites. The influence of genetic predisposition on kinetics and adverse effects of these compounds will also be followed. Finally, we will provide recommendations for general population as well as for individuals with polymorphic biotransformation and predict idiosyncratic toxicity of the studied natural compounds.