Licorice Extract GutGard Shows GLP-1 Support in Preclinical Study
The GLP-1 drug market has become one of the fastest-growing segments in pharmaceutical history, with Ozempic and Wegovy driving both prescription volume and cultural attention toward appetite regulation and metabolic health. The interest has spilled directly into ingredient research, as formulators and ingredient companies explore whether botanical compounds can naturally support the same pathway.
Natural Remedies, an Indian botanical ingredient company, has taken a step in that direction with GutGard.
What GLP-1 does in the body
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is released by specialized intestinal cells after meals. It triggers insulin release from the pancreas, signals the brain to reduce appetite, and slows gastric emptying so the stomach holds food longer. The net effect is improved blood sugar control and reduced caloric intake.
GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs (medications that bind to GLP-1 receptors and extend the hormone’s activity) have demonstrated 15-20% body weight reductions in clinical trials. The market for these drugs is projected to exceed $100 billion globally by 2030. This context has made GLP-1 one of the most commercially significant targets in both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical research.
GutGard’s preclinical findings
Natural Remedies completed a preclinical study showing that GutGard, its standardized Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, supports GLP-1 activity. Suresh Lakshmikanthan PhD, citing the findings, noted that the data suggests GutGard’s application extends beyond gastrointestinal health into metabolic support.
GutGard’s prior research history is relevant context. The extract had accumulated clinical evidence for reducing functional dyspepsia symptoms (persistent upper digestive discomfort without a structural cause), protecting gastric mucosa, and inhibiting Helicobacter pylori. This existing evidence base means the ingredient has a defined safety and tolerability profile, which smooths the path to clinical trial design.
Preclinical to clinical
Natural Remedies planned a human clinical trial beginning January 2026. Preclinical results establish biological plausibility, not confirmed efficacy in humans. The clinical trial will need to demonstrate that GutGard’s GLP-1 support mechanism produces measurable outcomes in human participants, including changes in postprandial GLP-1 levels, satiety markers, or metabolic indicators.
One point worth noting on licorice extracts in general: high-dose licorice consumption has been associated with blood pressure elevation linked to glycyrrhizin, a compound in licorice. GutGard is formulated with controlled glycyrrhizin content, which distinguishes it from unpurified licorice and is relevant when comparing it to whole food or traditional supplement forms.
Where this fits
The botanical GLP-1 space is emerging alongside, not instead of, pharmaceutical GLP-1 drugs. For consumers who are not candidates for prescription medications, or who are managing weight and metabolic health through diet and supplements, a clinically substantiated botanical ingredient in this pathway would occupy a meaningful position. GutGard’s clinical trial results will be the determining data point.