German researchers say the existing anti-viral drug Glycyrrhizin could be useful in the treatment of Sever Acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), according to a report in the British medical publication The Lancet.
The team of scientists from the Frankfurt Medical School said tests showed Glycyrrhizin significantly reduced the ability of the virus that causes Sars.
”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,” Jindrick Cinatl said in The Lancet report.
Glycyrrhizin is manufactured from the roots of the liquorice plant and is already used to treat hepatitis C and HIV infections, but how it works to inhibit Sars is not clear and further trials are thought necessary.
The German researchers also suggested ribavirin, a drug which some doctors have used to treat Sars, was ineffective. – Sapa-DPA