Glycyrrhizin leads to an increase in production of nitrous oxide in macrophages. Nitrous oxide is a compound that has demonstrated to be an effective inhibitor of viral replication. 

Mechanism of glycyrrhizin’s inhibition of SARS-CoV replication

In a clinical trial by Cinatl et al., glycyrrhizin was tested on patients in a hospital in Germany who were infected with SARS-CoV. Glycyrrhizin was he most effective compound tested that inhibited SARS-CoV replication. Glycyrrhizin had a selectivity index of 67. It inhibited replication, adsorption and penetration of the virus.

Santa Clara University

Licorice contains a saponin callled glycyrrhizin, which has antiviral and immunomodulatory responsibilities. 

The impact of licorice on the immune system

Yang, F., Zhang, Y., Tariq, A., Jiang, X., Ahmed, Z., Zhihao, Z., Idrees, M., Azizullah, A., Adnan, M., & Bussmann, R. W. (2020). Food as medicine: A possible preventive measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Phytotherapy research : PTR, 10.1002/ptr.6770. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6770

Food as medicine: A possible preventive measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

To quantify glycyrrhizin's effect on the humoral response, Raphael and Kuttan measured the number of anti-body producing cells and production of antibodies in the spleen, which increased in response to treatment with glycyrrhizin.

The effect of glycyrrhizic acid on the humoral immune response in mice

It was found that white blood cell count  increased in mice treated with glycyrrhizic acid. 

The impact of glycyrrhizic acid on the white blood cells of mice

Taking licorice for a prolonged period of time can result in harmful effects, and those considering taking licorice to strengthen their immune system should consult their doctors first. Less side effects have been reported with licorice that is taken orally compared to intravenously or intraperitoneally. For certain groups of people, even a small amount of licorice can be harmful. 

Harmful side effects of licorice  

Glycyrrhizin’s effect on vero cells that were  infected with SARS-CoV

Similar to SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (H5N1) is a viral respiratory disease that affects the lungs. Glycyrrhizin can reduce H5N1’s ability to affect IL-6 and chemokine production, and it also blocked DNA binding of the virus. For this reason, glycyrrrhizin could be a very powerful antiviral agent that should be considered for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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