Cristina Fiore, Michael Eisenhut, Rea Krausse, Eugenio Ragazzi, Donatella Pellati, Decio Armanini, and Jens Bielenberg

In ancient manuscripts from China, Greece, and India, mentions of the Glycyrrhiza species and its uses for symptoms of viral respiratory tract infections and hepatitis are included. Confirmed in randomized controlled trails, It was found that the Glycrrhiza glabra devired compound glycrrrhizin and its derivatives reduced hepatocellular damage in chronic hepatitis B and C. Also, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma was reduced in hepatitis C virus-induced cirrhosis. In animals studies, found in the herpes simplex virus encephalitis and the influenza A virus pneumonia, there was a reduction of mortality and viral activity. In vitro studies detected antiviral activity against SARS and HIV-1 linked coronavirus, arboviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, vaccinia virus, an d vesicular stomatitis virus.