New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Researchers look to licorice for promising cancer treatments

Licorice-derived substance may have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects

Date:
April 6, 2022
Source:
University of Illinois Chicago
Summary:
A research review into molecular insights of a licorice-derived substance called glycyrrhizin for preventing or treating cancer suggests further research could lead to specific agents for clinical use.
Share:
FULL STORY

Licorice is more than a candy people either love or hate -- it may play a role in preventing or treating certain types of cancer, according to researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Gnanasekar Munirathinam and his research team are studying substances derived from the licorice plant Glycyrrhiza glabra to determine if they could be used to prevent or stop the growth of prostate cancer. Munirathinam is an associate professor in the department of biomedical sciences at the College of Medicine Rockford.

A research review into molecular insights of a licorice-derived substance called glycyrrhizin for preventing or treating cancer conducted by Dr. Munirathinam and student researchers suggests further research could lead to specific agents for clinical use.

The journal Pharmacological Research recently published the study titled "Oncopreventive and oncotherapeutic potential of licorice triterpenoid compound glycyrrhizin and its derivatives: Molecular insights."

"When we look at the research out there and our own data, it appears that glycyrrhizin and its derivative glycyrrhetinic acid have great potential as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents," Munirathinam said. "More research is needed into exactly how these could best be used to develop therapies, but this appears to be a promising area of cancer research."

Should everyone go out and eat a bunch of licorice? Probably not, because it may affect blood pressure, interact with certain medications, and cause serious adverse effects, including death, when used excessively. An occasional sweet treat of licorice candy or tea may be better options until more studies can show how to best harness the plant's benefits.

"Very few clinical trials in humans have been conducted," Munirathinam said. "We hope our research on prostate cancer cells advances the science to the point where therapies can be translated to help prevent or even cure prostate and other types of cancer."

College of Medicine Rockford students Rifika Jain, Mohamed Ali Hussein, Preksha Shahagadkar, Shannon Pierce and Chad Martens are co-authors of the review, which was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health (R0CA227218) and Brovember Inc.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Illinois Chicago. Original written by Carrie Foust. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Rifika Jain, Mohamed Ali Hussein, Shannon Pierce, Chad Martens, Preksha Shahagadkar, Gnanasekar Munirathinam. Oncopreventive and oncotherapeutic potential of licorice triterpenoid compound glycyrrhizin and its derivatives: Molecular insights. Pharmacological Research, 2022; 178: 106138 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106138

Cite This Page:

University of Illinois Chicago. "Researchers look to licorice for promising cancer treatments." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 April 2022. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220406132005.htm>.
University of Illinois Chicago. (2022, April 6). Researchers look to licorice for promising cancer treatments. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 5, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220406132005.htm
University of Illinois Chicago. "Researchers look to licorice for promising cancer treatments." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220406132005.htm (accessed December 5, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES