People who use herbal supplements that include a chemical found in licorice may heighten the risk of organ rejection following transplants, say Taiwanese researchers.
A chemical in licorice, glycyrrhizin, is used in supplements as it may decrease the effects of stomach ulcers and liver disease, but it also decreases the absorption of an anti-rejection drug called cyclosporine.
Dr Pei-Dawn Lee Chao says that levels of the drug dropped in animals given either licorice or glycyrrhizin, and it may lead to further research about the interactions of the compound in those receiving transplants.
However, those who arent receiving the treatment may look to licorice as a possible treatment option for conditions beyond stomach ulcers.
Pain associated with canker sores, which are smaller ulcers found in the mouth, may also be treated with licorice, according to a study from National Dentistry. Researcher Michael Martin said he found that patches with licorice extract significantly reduced the pain and sped the healing process.
Isoliquiritigenin, another chemical found in licorice, may protect nerve cells in the brain from cocaine use, while decreasing activity in the brain linked to the “high” caused by the illicit substance, says Meeyul Hwang and other researchers in a separate study in the Journal of Proteome Research.