Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Licorice root and oral infections

Research published in American Chemical Society's Journal of Natural Products suggest that licorice root may have properties which help to fight oral infections (tooth decay and gum disease).

The journal reference is:

Stefan Gafner, Chantal Bergeron, Jacquelyn R. Villinski, Markus Godejohann, Pavel Kessler, John H. Cardellina, Daneel Ferreira, Karine Feghali, Daniel Grenier.Isoflavonoids and Coumarins fromGlycyrrhiza uralensis: Antibacterial Activity against Oral Pathogens and Conversion of Isoflavans into Isoflavan-Quinones during Purification. Journal of Natural Products, 2011; 74 (12): 2514 DOI: 10.1021/np2004775

The research found that two of the licorice compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, were the most effective antibacterial substances. These substances killed two of the major bacteria responsible for dental cavities and two of the bacteria that promote gum disease. One of the compounds -- licoricidin -- also killed a third gum disease bacterium. The researchers say that these substances could treat or even prevent oral infections.

What do readers think?
Posted by: Dr. Tim Sandle