Glycyrrhizin in Licorice may have potential to fight coronavirus

According to the Centers For Disease Control, there is currently no cure for coronavirus. The deadly COVID-19 has sickened more than 82,000 people globally, with the death toll reaching 2,800.  Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, but a promising new drug, remdesivir, which is effective against multiple other viruses, is presently in two late-stage studies to test if the drug is effective against COVID-19. Developed by Gilead Sciences, remdesivir is being tested at medical centers in the U.S., China, and other nations with a high number of diagnosed cases.
Experts say that other antiviral drugs are only effective against specific viruses and unlikely to work against the coronavirus. The National Center For Complementary and Integrative Health warned people to beware of "alternative" treatments touted as cures for coronavirus. 
However, Glycyrrhizin, a component of Licorice Root, was studied for effectiveness against SARS - an associated coronavirus infection.  Reported in the Lancet in 2003, researchers assessed the antiviral potential of ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin, mycophenolic acid, and glycyrrhizin against two clinical isolates of coronavirus (FFM-1 and FFM-2) from patients with SARS admitted to the clinical centre of Frankfurt University, Germany. Of all the compounds, glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus.  
Glycrrhizin inhibits virus replication and also adsorption and penetration in early stages of the replicative cycle. 
Researchers reported the following: The figure shows the effectiveness of glycrrhizin on replication of SARS-CV in Vero cells. Expression of viral antigens was much lower in cultures treated with 1000 mg/L of glycyrrhizin than in any other culture and high concentrations of glycyrrhizin (4000 mg/L) completely blocked replication of the virus.
The Researchers reported that "infrequent side-effects such as raised blood pressure and hypokalaemia were reported in some patients after prolonged usage (several months). Although high doses of glycyrrhizin have been used in clinical trials, this compound had few toxic effects compared with the other regimens, and the drug was reported to be clinically effective."
Perhaps licorice is a compound worth another look by current researchers, to see if it's effective against COVID-19.  Until then, each consumer has to make their own decision as to whether or not they want to purchase it to keep in their arsenal. Considering the other benefits of licorice, it may not be a bad idea. Other benefits of licorice root have been noted:
1.  Fights inflammation
2.  Leaky gut
3.  Heartburn and Acid Reflux
4.  Immunity
5.  Respiratory problems
6.  Breast and prostate cancer
7.  Improve mobility and movement of joints
5.  Weight loss
3.  Adrenal Fatigue
It's important to note that not all licorice products contain glycyrrhizin, the compound used in this study.  You have to look for a brand with standardized glycyrrhizin.