Antiviral activity of glycyrrhizic acid.

Glycyrrhizic acid inhibits the growth of several DNA and RNA viruses in cell cultures and inactivates Herpes simplex 1 virus irreversibly.

Glycyrrhizic acid inhibits virus growth and inactivates virus particles.

Screening investigations in antiviral action of plant extracts have revealed that a component of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots, found to be glycyrrhizie acid, is active against viruses. We report here that this drug inhibits growth and cytopathology of several unrelated DNA and RNA viruses, while not affecting cell activity and ability to replicate. In addition, glycyrrhizic acid inactivates herpes simplex virus particles irreversibly.

Enhancement of virus growth produced by thiols and disulphides.

Several thiols and disulphides have been found able both to shorten the latency phase and to increase the growth of several virus strains in cell cultures.