Possible Interaction: Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Licorice

“Significantly lower G and GA plasma levels were found in rats and humans treated with LE compared to the levels obtained with those in which G alone was administered.”

“Furthermore, inhibition of this enzyme by glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetinic acids also accounts for the mineralocorticoid excess states seen following licorice and carbenoxolone ingestion.”

“Since liquorice can induce the clinical symptoms of AME due to reversible inhibition of the 11beta-HSD2 enzyme by glycyrrhetinic acid , the active ingredient of liquorice, patients suspected of having AME should not consume liquorice.”

“This compound and its hydrolysis product glycyrrhetinic acid have been associated with the multiple therapeutic properties of licorice extracts.”

“Since liquorice raised the blood pressure with a linear dose-response relationship, even doses as low as 50 g of liquorice (75 mg glycyrrhetinic acid ) consumed daily for 2 weeks can cause a significant rise in blood pressure.”

“The direct effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the membrane may be important role in the multiple actions of licorice.”

“Furthermore, the Cmax of glycyrrhetinic acid was increased, suggesting that it may enhance the tonic effect of licorice.”

“Conclusion The present study demonstrated that GA inhibits CYP isoforms and subsequently may increase the nephrotoxicity of BAK, which underlie one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the incompatibility of Licorice with Fructus Psoraleae.”