Glycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice roots, and replication of SARS-associated coronavirus

Lancet. 2003 Jun 14;361(9374):2045-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)13615-x.

Abstract

The outbreak of SARS warrants the search for antiviral compounds to treat the disease. At present, no specific treatment has been identified for SARS-associated coronavirus infection. We assessed the antiviral potential of ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin, mycophenolic acid, and glycyrrhizin against two clinical isolates of coronavirus (FFM-1 and FFM-2) from patients with SARS admitted to the clinical centre of Frankfurt University, Germany. Of all the compounds, glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus. Our findings suggest that glycyrrhizin should be assessed for treatment of SARS.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coronavirus / drug effects*
  • Coronavirus / physiology
  • Glycyrrhiza / chemistry*
  • Glycyrrhizic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glycyrrhizic Acid