STUDY ON THE CORTICOID-LIKE ACTION OF GLYCYRRHIZINE AND THE MECHANISM OF ITS ACTION

Abstract

1. The potentiation and prolongation of hydrocortisone by glycyrrhizine was observed in the patients with acute rheumatic fever and lupus erythematosis disseminatus.2. We found the facts through our experiments that administration of glycyrrhizine caused the increased excretion of free 17-OHCS, decreased excretion of conjugated 17-OHCS and somewhat decreased excretion of total 17-OHCS.3. Influence of glycyrrhizine on plasma 17-OHCS and circulatory eosinophils was investigated.4. In vitro investigation, we have found that glycyrrhizine inhibits the metabolism of corticoids.5. It is suggested that the effect of glycyrrhizine upon the corticoids metabolism may be “competitive inhibition”.