Glycyrrhizin therapy for viral infections

Glycyrrhizin (GL) was reported as the most active in inhibiting replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus. Therapeutic effect of GL for liver dysfunction associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent individuals was evaluated. Liver dysfunction in 4 cases improved and CMV disappeared from urinary samples after administration of GL intravenously by the age of 12 months. GL treatment also should be applied for the patients with SARS. Key words: Glycyrrhizin, SARS, cytomegalovirus African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(10) 2003: 392-39