Evidence supporting the use of: Glycyrrhetinic acid
For the health condition: Herpes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Glycyrrhetinic acid, a bioactive compound derived from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), has been investigated for its antiviral properties, including activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV). Preclinical studies, primarily in vitro and some in vivo, have demonstrated that glycyrrhetinic acid can inhibit the replication of HSV-1 and HSV-2. The mechanism is thought to involve disruption of viral gene expression and interference with viral particle assembly or entry into host cells. Notably, a 1998 Antiviral Research study showed that glycyrrhetinic acid reduced HSV-1 titers in cultured cells, while another study from 2006 in Phytotherapy Research found that topical application of glycyrrhetinic acid-containing creams reduced the severity and duration of herpes labialis lesions in a small patient group.

However, evidence from large-scale clinical trials is lacking, and most data come from laboratory studies or small pilot trials. The evidence base is thus relatively weak (hence the rating of 2), but there is some scientific rationale for its use as an adjunctive or topical agent in managing herpes outbreaks. It is not primarily used based on tradition, but rather on preliminary scientific findings. More robust, controlled human studies are needed to establish efficacy and safety.

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