Christian Bailly and Gérard Vergoten

In search of an effective treatment for COVD-19, researchers analyzed the antiviral potential of the natural product glycyrrhizic acid (GLR). GLR has demonstrated activities against different viruses such a SARS and is known for its anti-inflammatory capabilities on both cytoplasmic and membrane effects. At membrane level, for the importance for entry of coronavirus cells, Glycyrrhizic acid induces cholesterol-dependent disorganization of lipid rafts. At the intracellular and circulating levels, blocking the distressing functions of the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), GLR traps the HMGB1. The cytoplasmic and membrane effects make GLR an excellent candidate to tested against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus; and the anti-inflammatory activity of GLR could be useful to reduce the respiratory duress.