Anti Cancer Benefits of Licorice
In the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer. 2001, The American Health Foundation reported that licorice and its derivatives may protect against carcinogen-induced DNA damage and may be suppressive agents as well. Glycyrrhizic acid is an inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, inhibits protein kinase C, and downregulates the epidermal growth factor receptor. Licorice polyphenols can induce apoptosis in cancer cells and presents a recommendation in further study on its viability in fighting cancer.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits from Licorice Extract
In the Journal of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists 2005, a clinical study was done to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of both glycerrhitinic acid (GA)and the aqueous licorice extract (ALE) in comparison with diclofenac sodium (DS) (10 mg/kg), using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in male albino rats. Results have shown that licorice extract and glycerrhitinic acid have anti-inflammatory benefits comparable to diclofenac sodium.
Licorice Benefits for Peptic ulcers
In an animal study where the effects of licorice to peptic ulcer was investigated, it was found that rats fed with licorice coated aspirin demonstrated a reduced incidence of ulcers.
However in human studies, there are mixed reports on the effectiveness of licorice extract in treating peptic ulcers.. One study reported that out of 100 individuals with peptic ulcers given licorice extract 90 showed improvement of peptic ulcer symptoms. While another study found no sufficient evidence that licorice can heal stomach ulcers. Nonetheless, it was reported that deglycyrrhizinated licorice when mixed with antacids may help treat peptic ulcers
Licorice Benefits and Effects in Common Oro-dental diseases.
In the Journal of Oral Diseases, January 2012, it has been reported that licorice contains several classes of secondary metabolites that has been found to have many health benefits. Among these benefits include potential activity against oro-dental diseases such as dental carries, periodontitis, cadidiasis and recurrent aphthous ulcers.
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Licorice Gel Benefits for Atopic Dermatitis.
In the Journal of Dermatology Treatment. September 2003. a report has been published detailing a study on the effects of licorice extract as topical preparation in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. In this study, the 1% and 2% licorice extract prepared into a gel with propylene glycol as solvent has helped relieve the symptoms of itching, swelling and redness of atopic dermatitis. The results showed that licorice extract could be considered as an effective agent for treatment of atopic dermatitis.
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Antimicrobial Effects of Licorice Extract (Tuberculosis Treatment)
In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology March 2008, a report has been made about the potential antimicrobial activity of licorice against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra was found at 500 microgram/mL concentration. This study suggests the potential use of licorice as anti tubercular agent through systemic experiments and sophisticated anti-TB assay. [3]
Anti-Obesity Effects of Licorice (Weight Loss Benefits)
In the Journal of Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 2008 December, A study has been published investigating the anti-obesity action of licorice flavonoids oil in diet-induced obese rats. Results have shown that the addition of 2% licorice flavonoids oil in a high-fat diet significantly decreased the weight of abdominal adipose tissue and the levels of hepatic and plasma triglycerides. The findings suggest that the anti-obesity action of licorice flavonoids oil is controlled by regulation of the rate-limiting enzymes in the fatty acid synthetic and oxidative pathways in the liver.
Another study found that people who took 900 mg of licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks had decreases in body fat, body weight, body mass index, and LDL cholesterol levels. However, it was suggested that further investigation is needed to establish the benefits of licorice in weight loss regimen and its associated side effects.