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.



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 journalPharmacological Researchrecently 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 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220406132005.htm

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