- Provides deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) in chewable tablets, the form associated with the greatest clinical efficacy, as it allows for licorice to be released in the stomach and dispersed/absorbed by the gastric mucosa
- Offers 400 mg of DGL per tablet, the clinically effective dosage
- Deglycyrrhizination prevents adverse effects associated with licorice consumption
- Pleasant-tasting tablets for better compliance
- Suitable for vegetarians/vegans
DGL, has been used clinically for decades, primarily for protecting the gastrointestinal mucosal lining. Licorice has many triterpenoids and hundreds of flavonoids that have been shown to inhibit several inflammatory enzymes, including both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). These enzymes decrease the production of several potent inflammatory compounds, including IL-6, prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2, and leukotriene B4. Importantly, this inhibition is not primarily due to glycyrrhizic acid, the component of licorice that has been removed in DGL and that is associated with mineralocorticoid excess and hypertension. Licorice has multiple active compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-allergic actions, including glabridin and at least seven licochalcones. The compounds have been shown to prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced (LPS) production of inflammatory compounds, inhibit yeast and bacterial biofilm formation, and upregulate antioxidant enzymes.
Clinically, a combination product including DGL has been shown to have comparable efficacy to cimetidine for both the healing and prevention of of irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Additionally, extracts of licorice have been shown to inhibit the adhesion of H. pylori to gastric mucosa, as well as the growth of resistant strains, suggesting multiple mechanisms of protection for the gastrointestinal lining. The use of chewable tablets appears necessary for DGL’s efficacy as it allows for distribution and absorption by the gastric mucosa