Glycyrrhizin Reduces IBD Inflammation in Lab Model
SkimNews Take
The discovery of an anti-inflammatory compound in black licorice by Japanese researchers highlights how established natural substances can offer novel, accessible treatments for complex diseases.
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- University of Tokyo researchers built a stem‑cell‑derived human intestinal model that reproduces IBD‑like inflammation.
- Yu Takahashi led a high‑throughput screen of ~3,500 compounds in the model, pinpointing a promising anti‑inflammatory agent.
- Glycyrrhizin, a natural black licorice compound, markedly reduced intestinal cell death in the tissue model and lowered inflammation in IBD‑affected mice.
- Stem Cell Reports published the findings on May 9 2026, highlighting glycyrrhizin’s therapeutic potential for IBD.
Why it matters: Patients with IBD—over 4 million worldwide—gain a promising natural therapy that could lessen reliance on existing drugs that often fail, boosting Japan’s biotech profile and spurs further research.
