Lessons from Licorice

LICORICE extract from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra is one of the sweetest substances known and has long been used in Chinese medicines. After the discovery of its value in the treatment of peptic ulcer, it was not long before its adverse effects on salt and water metabolism became apparent.1 The syndrome of mineralocorticoid excess that results from the ingestion of licorice was thought to be due to a direct effect of its major active component, glycyrrhetinic acid, on the mineralocorticoid receptors of the kidney. However, as indicated by Farese and his colleagues in this issue of the Journal, . . .