Gan Cao

Glycyrrhizin, an active component of Gan Cao, inhibits the proliferation of AIDS virus. In-vitro experiments show that Gan Cao polysaccharides inhibit vesicular stomatitis virus, adenovirus II, herpes ...

Gan Cao
Glycyrrhizae Radix, Licorice
Dosage
1.5-9g.
Toxicity
LD50: 2.52g/kg (mice/water-based extract/abdominal injection); LD100: 3.6g/kg (mice/water-based extract/hypodermic injection).(1)
Chemical Composition
Glycyrrhizin; 18(-glycyrrhetic acid; Glucuronic acid; Glycyrrhizic acid; Uralsaponin A, B; Liquiritigenin; Liquiritin; Isoliquiritfigenin; Isoliquiritin; Neoliquiritin; Neoisoliquiritin; Licoricidin; Licoricone; Formononetin; 5-O-methyllicoricidin; Vicenin II; Ononin; Isolicoflavonol; Licuraside; Apioisoliquiritin; Glycycoumarine; Glycyrol; Isoglycyrol; Glycyrin; Neoglycyrol; Licopyranocoumarin; Licocoumarone; Licobenzofuran; Liconeolignan; (-sitosterol; N-tricoxane; N-hexacosane; N-heptacosane; Glucan GBW; Narcissin; Nicotiflorin; Rutin; Isoquercitrin; Astragalin; Uralenol; Neouralenol; Uralenin; Uralene; Quercetin; Uralennoeoside; Scopoletin; Lupiwighteone; Sigmoidin B; Gancaonin A-E, L-V; Glycyrrigan UA, UB, UC; Polysacchaside GR-2IIa, GR-2IIb, GR-2IIc; Quercetin-3,3'-dimethylether; Uralenol-3-methylether; Liquiritigenin-7-4-'-diglucoside; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-methylquinoline; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2,4-dimethylquinoline; 3-methyl-6,7,8-trihydropyrrolo(1,2,-a)pyrimidin-3-one; Isoliquiritfigenin-4-apiofuranosyl(1→2)glucopyranoside; Licoricesaponine A3, B2, C2, D3, E2, F3, G2, H2, J2, K2; Liquiritigenin-4'-apiofuranosyl(1→2); glucopyranoside, apioliquiritin.(2)
Precautions
Reported adverse effects: hypocalcemia, asthma, agalactia, rashes, impotence, hypertension, infantile diarrhea, heart and renal damages, etc.(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8),(9),(10)

Gan Cao is incompatible with the following products: digitalis, digoxin, tolbutamide, phenformin, insulin, glybenzcyclamide, aspirin, sodium salicylate, tannic acid, dihydrochlorothiazide, quinine, reserpine, ephedrine, pepsase, and berberine.(11)

Pharmacology
Glycyrrhizin, an active component of Gan Cao, inhibits the proliferation of AIDS virus. In-vitro experiments show that Gan Cao polysaccharides inhibit vesicular stomatitis virus, adenovirus II, herpes simplex virus I, and vaccinia virus.(12)
Used in combination with Huang Lian and Huang Qin, Gan Cao enhances the combination's inhibitory effect on bacteria.(13),(14) At a certain concentration, Gan Cao alone has an inhibitory effect on Helicobacterium.(15)
Gan Cao can inhibit the tracheal constriction induced by histamine and acetylcholine.(16)
Administered to senile rats, water-based decoction of Gan Cao can increase the activity of superoxide dismutase, lower the lactoperoxidase level, and decrease the activity of MAO-B (p<0.01).(17)
Administered to mice at the dosage of 6g/kg, Gan Cao can inhibit immersion-induced stress ulcer and hydrochloride acid-induced ulcer. Administered to rats at the dosage of 1.2g/kg, Gan Cao can increase the bile volume.(18),(19)
Gan Cao can improve the heart function, decrease myocardial oxygen consumption, and improve the general condition of blood vessels.(20)
Gan Cao can counteract aconitine-induced arrhythmia.(21)
Gan Cao extract inhibits the reductive metabolism of fluothane, decreasing the intermediate products. Gan Cao also inhibits lipid peroxidation, decreasing the occurrence of fluothane-caused hepatitis.(22),(23)
References
  1. Editorial Committee of Chinese Materia Medica. State Drug Administration of China. Chinese Materia Medica. Shanghai: Science and Technology Press; 1998.
  2. Editorial Committee of Chinese Materia Medica. State Drug Administration of China. Chinese Materia Medica. Shanghai: Science and Technology Press; 1998.
  3. Li Cui Lan, et al. Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 1996;37(9):570.
  4. WuChang Fu, et al. Jiangsu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1986;7(9):17.
  5. Zhou Jian Xiong. Traditional Chinese Medicine Bulletin. 1986;11(8):56.
  6. Hu Fa Ming. Journal of Clinical Application in Dermatology. 1985;14(5):277.
  7. Liu Shou Yong. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1987;11(5):45.
  8. Li Wei. China Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. 1994:14(7):329.
  9. Wang Ren Qun. China Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1994;19(10):631.
  10. Liu Guan Xiang. Shanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1996;17911):521.
  11. Yan Zhen Hua, et al. Shanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1996;17(2):83-85.
  12. Zhu Li Hong. China Journal of TCM Information. 1996;3(3):17-20.
  13. Yan Mei Zhen, et al. China Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1998;23(6):375-377.
  14. Hu Cong. Xinjiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1998;16(2):50-53.
  15. Zhang Cun Diao, et al. China Journal of Integrated Splenico-Gastrology. 1997;5(3):168-169.
  16. Li Yan, et al. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Information. 1999;16(4)47.
  17. Wang Zhao, et al. China Journal of Geriatrics. 1998.18(6):371-372.
  18. Zhu Zi Ping, et al. China Journal of Integrated Splenico-Gastrology. 1998;16(1):42-43.
  19. Wu Xin Hua, et al. Xinjiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1998;16(1):42-43.
  20. Xu Ling, et al. Journal of Research in Chinese Medicine. 1997;10(2):31-32.
  21. Hu Shao Ying, et al. Journal of Nanjing University of TCM. 1996;12(5):23-24.
  22. Ni Jia Xiang, et al. China Journal of Anesthesiology. 1995;15(1):21-23.
  23. Wang Yong Jun, et al. China Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1996;16(5):312-314.
This information is educational in context and is not to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before using this or any medical information.
©2000-2008 ADCCG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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