GLYCYRRHIZIN AND GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID: PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF VIRAL RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
GLICIRRIZINA Y ÁCIDO GLICIRRETÍNICO: POTENCIAL FARMACOLÓGICO PARA EL TRATAMIENTO DE INFECCIONES RESPIRATORIAS VIRALES
Autor(es): N. Alcántara-Martínez y U. Zendejas-Hernandez
Fuente: Mexican Journal of Technology and Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 9-21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61767/mjte.001.2.0921
Abstract
Glycyrrhizinic acid (also known as glycyrrhizin) (GA) and its derivative 18-β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18b-GA), which are isolated from the plant Glycyrryza glabra, show several therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activity. These are therefore being evaluated for several medical proposes, among them the treatment of respiratory infections induced by viruses. The current review aimed to highlight the potential of GA and 18b-GA as efficient drugs. Both molecules have demonstrated antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, due to different mechanisms; for instance, blocking key enzymes for virus entry to the cell or by limiting virus replication. Those properties are well known from in vitro and animal assay research, however, reports of their effects on humans are scarce. One of the main challenges of using GA and 18b-GA as a drug is improving their solubility and permeability, as well as using therapeutic doses without toxic effects. Due to the biological properties of GA and 18b-GA, the dose and administration type are crucial to achieving a high local concentration and therefore a therapeutic effect.
Keywords: Glycyrrhizin, 18-β-Glycyrrhetinic acid, respiratory infections, antiviral activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity.
Resumen
El ácido glicirricínico (también conocido como glicirricina) (GA) y su derivado, el ácido 18-β-glicirretínico (18b-GA), aislados de la planta Glycyrryza glabra, muestran diversas propiedades terapéuticas, que incluyen actividad antioxidante, antiinflamatoria y antiviral. Por lo tanto, estos fármacos están siendo evaluados con diferentes propósitos médicos, entre ellos el tratamiento de infecciones respiratorias inducidas por virus. El objetivo de la presente revisión fue resaltar el potencial de GA y 18b-GA como fármacos eficaces. Ambas moléculas han demostrado actividad antiviral frente a SARS-CoV-2, a través de diferentes mecanismos; por ejemplo, bloqueando enzimas clave para la entrada del virus a la célula o limitando la replicación del virus. Estas propiedades se conocen a partir de la investigación en ensayos in vitro y en animales, sin embargo, los reportes de sus efectos en humanos son escasos. Uno de los principales retos del uso de GA y 18b-GA como fármaco es mejorar su solubilidad y permeabilidad, así como utilizar dosis terapéuticas sin efectos tóxicos. Debido a las propiedades biológicas de GA y 18b-Ga, las dosis y el tipo de administración son cruciales para lograr una alta concentración local y, por lo tanto, un efecto terapéutico.
Palabras clave: Glicirricina, ácido 18-β-glicirretínico, infecciones respiratorias, actividad antiviral, actividad antioxidante, actividad antiinflamatoria.
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