Patient on phone: Hello, Doctor. I think I have SARS.Doctor: It's pretty late in the day. Tell ya what... double up on your blood pressure med, eat a licorice candy bar and three bananas and call me in the morning.
LOL
Posted on 06/13/2003 7:52:12 AM PDT by TaxRelief
LONDON (Reuters) - A compound isolated from the root of the liquorice plant could be more effective than current treatments for SARS (news - web sites), the virus that has killed 780 people worldwide, German scientists said on Friday.
Glycyrrhizin, or liquorice root, is already given to patients suffering from HIV (news - web sites) and hepatitis C. Researchers at Frankfurt University Medical School now believe it could help to combat SARS.
"Our findings suggest that glycyrrhizin should be assessed for treatment of SARS," Jindrick Cinatl said in a report in The Lancet medical journal.
SARS, which first broke out in southern China last year and spread beyond Asia to 30 countries through international air travel, is sometimes treated with the drug ribavirin and steroids but some doctors question their effectiveness.
The German scientists compared the glycyrrhizin and four other compounds, including ribavirin, on two samples of the coronavirus that causes the disease, which had been isolated from SARS patients.
Glycyrrhizin was the most potent antiviral in inhibiting the replication of the virus.
"In addition to inhibition of virus replication, glycyrrhizin inhibits absorption and penetration of the virus -- early steps of the replicative cycle," Cinatl said.
Although the researchers do not understand exactly how it works, they said it seems to interfere with viral replication. Side-effects include raised blood pressure but the treatment would probably only be needed for a short time.
"Since the side-effects of this compound are known and can be controlled for, proper monitoring could lead to effective use of glycyrrhizin as a treatment for SARS," Cinatl added.
Most cases of SARS have occurred in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Toronto is the hardest hit city outside of Asia. The World Health Organization (news - web sites) said it may renew a warning against travel to Toronto if a feared upsurge in SARS is confirmed.
Licorice is now used to treat respiratory infections, ulcers and menopause, but has long been recognized for its ability to deplete body potassium stores, increasing the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities, particularly in patients taking digoxin. Diuretics also increase potassium loss, so their combination with licorice is very dangerous.
Licorice also interferes with certain blood pressure medications and with blood sugar control in diabetics. Patients taking thyroid replacement may have to adjust their thyroid medication when taking licorice. Licorice will also increase the likelihood of adverse reactions to birth control pills --high blood pressure, fluid retention and potassium loss.
Patient on phone: Hello, Doctor. I think I have SARS.Doctor: It's pretty late in the day. Tell ya what... double up on your blood pressure med, eat a licorice candy bar and three bananas and call me in the morning.
LOL
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