'Yakbang-ui Gamcho', Inhibiting Replication of COVID-19 Virus... Potential Therapeutic Candidates
Chinese Researchers Confirm Liquiritin, a Licorice Extract, Inhibits Replication of COVID-19 Virus Strains
SCMP Notes Insufficient Statistics to Prove Efficacy of Traditional Korean Medicine
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Young-shin] A substance called 'liquiritin,' extracted from licorice, a herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, has been found to inhibit the replication of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) strains, according to a report by the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 6th.
A joint research team from Peking University and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in China recently published these findings on the preprint academic paper site bioRxiv. Previously, the Kunming Primate Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences had posted experimental results on the same site last month, showing that primates such as monkeys can also be infected with COVID-19.
The joint research team discovered that liquiritin inhibits the replication of the COVID-19 virus in monkey cells and stated that it is necessary to verify whether the same efficacy applies to humans. They described liquiritin as a candidate for COVID-19 treatment. The team also added that they have completed toxicity and side effect tests of liquiritin on mice. Additionally, the researchers introduced the opinion that liquiritin may have antiviral functions against pathogens such as hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
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Licorice is a medicinal herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (Hanuihak) and is known to be effective for gastrointestinal disorders. Liquiritin is used as an antidepressant and neuroprotective agent. However, SCMP added that although Hanuihak has been utilized for COVID-19 treatment in mainland China, there is still no statistical evidence to prove its efficacy.
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