Risk and safety assessment on the consumption of Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza sp.), its extract and powder as a food ingredient, with emphasis on the pharmacology and toxicology of glycyrrhizin

Historical sources for the use of Glycyrrhiza species include ancient manuscripts from China, India and Greece. They all mention its use for symptoms of viral respiratory tract infections and hepatitis. Randomized controlled trials confirmed that the Glycyrrhiza glabra derived compound glycyrrhizin and its derivatives reduced hepatocellular damage in chronic hepatitis B and C. In hepatitis C virus-induced cirrhosis the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma was reduced. Animal studies demonstrated a reduction of mortality and viral activity in herpes simplex virus encephalitis and influenza A virus pneumonia. In vitro studies revealed antiviral activity against HIV-1, SARS related coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, arboviruses, vaccinia virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. Mechanisms for antiviral activity of Glycyrrhiza spp. include reduced transport to the membrane and sialylation of hepatitis B virus surface antigen, reduction of membrane fluidity leading to inhibition of fusion of the viral membrane of HIV-1 with the cell, induction of interferon gamma in T-cells, inhibition of phosphorylating enzymes in vesicular stomatitis virus infection and reduction of viral latency. Future research needs to explore the potency of compounds derived from licorice in prevention and treatment of influenza A virus pneumonia and as an adjuvant treatment in patients infected with HIV resistant to antiretroviral drugs.

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Antiviral effects of Glycyrrhiza species

In the last years, consumers are paying much more attention to natural medicines and principles, mainly due to the general sense that natural compounds are safe. On the other hand, there is a growing demand by industry for plants used in traditional medicine that could be incorporated in foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, or even pharmaceuticals. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. belongs to the Fabaceae family and has been recognized since ancient times for its ethnopharmacological values. This plant contains different phytocompounds, such as glycyrrhizin, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, glabrin A and B, and isoflavones, that have demonstrated various pharmacological activities. Pharmacological experiments have demonstrated that different extracts and pure compounds from this species exhibit a broad range of biological properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. A few toxicological studies have reported some concerns. This review addresses all those issues and focuses on the pharmacological activities reported for G. glabra. Therefore, an updated, critical, and extensive overview on the current knowledge of G. glabra composition and biological activities is provided here in order to explore its therapeutic potential and future challenges to be utilized for the formulation of new products that will contribute to human well-being.

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Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Glycyrrhizin (GL) was shown to inhibit SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) replication in vitro. Here the anti-SARS-CoV activity of 15 GL derivatives was tested. The introduction of 2-acetamido-beta-d-glucopyranosylamine into the glycoside chain of GL resulted in 10-fold increased anti-SARS-CoV activity compared to GL. Amides of GL and conjugates of GL with two amino acid residues and a free 30-COOH function presented up to 70-fold increased activity against SARS-CoV but also increased cytotoxicity resulting in decreased selectivity index.

Antiviral Activity of Glycyrrhizic Acid Derivatives against SARS−Coronavirus

A history of the therapeutic use of liquorice in Europe.

The effect of glycyrrhizin (GR) on HIV replication in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-infected patients was investigated. After the depletion of CD8+ T cells, PBMC from

Effect of Glycyrrhizin, an Active Component of Licorice Roots, on HIV Replication in Cultures of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from HIV-Seropositive Patients

Glycyrrhizin inhibits the manifestations of anti-inflammatory responses that appear in association with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)-like reactions

R5 HIV replicated in freshly isolated human peripheral blood monocytes after treatment with 1-methyladenosine (fresh PBM/MA), an immunosuppressive compound isolated from tumorous ascites fluids, while viral replication was not demonstrated in untreated peripheral blood monocytes (fresh PBM). The R5 HIV replication in fresh PBM/MA was inhibited by glycyrrhizin (GL). Without any other stimulation, fresh PBM/MA produced CCL2 and IL-10, while these soluble factors were not released from fresh PBM. GL greatly inhibited the production of CCL2 and IL-10 in fresh PBM/MA. After treatment with CCL2 and/or IL-10, CCR5 mRNA expression in fresh PBM was markedly enhanced, while only a trace level of the mRNA expression was detected in these cells in the absence of CCL2 or IL-10. CCR5 mRNA expression in fresh PBM treated with CCL2 or IL-10 was clearly inhibited by GL. These results indicate that GL inhibits R5 HIV replication in fresh PBM/MA through the inhibiting CCR5 expression mediated by CCL2 or IL-10.

Miwa Takei

Papers

Effect of Glycyrrhizin, an Active Component of Licorice Roots, on HIV Replication in Cultures of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from HIV-Seropositive Patients

Glycyrrhizin inhibits the manifestations of anti-inflammatory responses that appear in association with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)-like reactions

Glycyrrhizin inhibits R5 HIV replication in peripheral blood monocytes treated with 1-methyladenosine