Background
Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled growth of cells in parts of our body. It can happen in any parts of body.
Cells in body after some time grow old and die. So new cells must be replaced. One of the functions of body is to reproduce new cells. Sometimes this process is done abnormally and the cells multiply when it is not needed. In this case they turn into tumor. These tumors may be cancerous or benign.
In cancerous case, the tumor invades and spreads into other parts and forms new tumors. To stop this process, chemotherapy is prescribed.
Besides chemotherapy, lifestyle and our diet are highly important. There are some food and herbs that may decrease the growth of cancerous cells.
In this article, Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co., discusses licorice effects on cancer.
Medicinal Effects of Licorice
Based on Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.’s surveys, licorice is used for the treatment of digestive and respiratory diseases, toothache, sore throat, as well as skin and hair problems. Licorice contains vitamins B and E and minerals such as potassium and magnesium, sterols, amino acids etc. Licorice with the elements of isoflavonoid, flavonoid and saponin is very popular in skincare products. Glycyrrhizin is the main component of licorice.
Licorice Effects on Cancer
Using licorice has positive effects on cancer. It can slow down the growth of cancer in body. It also relieves the pain of chemotherapy treatment. As a result of chemotherapy, some sores in patients’ mouth appear that they are painful and irritating. Taking licorice can ease this pain.
There is a component in licorice root called Licochalcone A, which is antitumor in breast, prostate and leukemia cancer. It lowers the amount of a drug-resistant protein, bcl-2. This protein resists against anticancer agents and chemotherapy.
Licorice includes triterpenoids, glycyrrhizin and its aglycone glycyrrhizic acid, various polyphenols, and polysaccharides. According to a research, licorice may protect against carcinogen-induced DNA damage. Glycyrrhizic acid is an inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, inhibits protein kinase C, and downregulates the epidermal growth factor receptor. Licorice polyphenols induce apoptosis in cancer cells. (Wang and Nixon,2001)
Licorice has got antioxidant factors which is anti-cancer by itself.
Written and Edited by: Meysam Shokripour (Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.)
References :
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer
Wang.Z and Nixon.D, licorice and cancer, National Library of Medicine,2001.
