Review article : glycyrrhizin as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis C

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 199 - 205
• Main Authors: VAN RUSSUM, T. G. J, VULTO, A. G, DE MAN, R. A, BROUWER, J. T, SCHALM, S. W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01.03.1998
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - administration & dosage; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; General pharmacology; Glycyrrhizic Acid - administration & dosage; Glycyrrhizic Acid - therapeutic use; Hepacivirus - drug effects; Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy; Hepatitis C, Chronic - virology; Humans; Medical sciences; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Asia; Japan; Human; Intravenous administration; Enzyme; Hepatoprotector; Pharmacognosy; Toxicity; Transferases; Oral administration; Hepatic disease; Review; Metabolism; Biological activity; Medicinal plant; Infection; Immunomodulator; Folk medicine; Viral disease; Transaminases; Plant origin; Digestive diseases; Antiviral; Pharmacokinetics; Viral hepatitis C
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036

Chronic hepatitis C is a slowly progressive liver disease that may evolve into cirrhosis with its potential complications of liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapy with alpha-interferon is directed at viral clearance, but sustained response is only achieved in 20-40% of patients without cirrhosis, and less than 20% in patients with cirrhosis who have the greatest need for therapy. Treatment for those who do not respond to anti-viral therapy is highly desirable. In Japan glycyrrhizin has been used for more than 20 years as treatment for chronic hepatitis. In randomized controlled trials, glycyrrhizin induced a significant reduction of serum aminotransferases and an improvement in liver histology compared to placebo. Recently, these short-term effects have been amplified by a well-conducted retrospective study suggesting that long-term usage of glycyrrhizin prevents development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C. The mechanism by which glycyrrhizin improves liver biochemistry and histology are undefined. Metabolism, pharmacokinetics, side-effects, and anti-viral and hepatoprotective effects of glycyrrhizin are discussed.