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Glycyrrhizin mechanism.
Source publication
We expose a case of a woman with hypertension and hypokalemia. The differential diagnosis should include primary hyperaldosteronism, diuretics or lazantes intake, secondary hyperaldosteronism. In this patient, additional tests performed show no cause of hormonal disruption and the whole picture is due to a high intake of licorice. Glycyrrhetinic ac...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... glycyrrhizin inhibits the metabolism of cortisol and can lead to acute and chronic cases of severe hypertension and hypokalemia [2] Glycyrrhizin Mechanism: Glycyrrhetinic acid, the ac- tive component of licorice, inhibits renal IIbeta-hydroxy- steroid dehydrogenase. This allows cortisol to stimulate mineralocorticoid receptors, which can lead to hyperten- sion and hypokalemia [2] (Figure 1). ...
Citations
Hypertension is one of the most common problems encountered in the primary care setting. Numerous secondary causes of hypertension exist and are potentially reversible. The ability to screen for such causes and manage them effectively may spare patients from prolonged medical therapy and hypertensive complications. Licorice can cause hypertension and hypokalemia due its effects on cortisol metabolism. We report a case of jelly bean ingestion that highlights the presentation, pathophysiology and management of licorice-induced hypertension.
Depression is a major mental disease that is ranked as the fourth leading cause of disability. In order to avoid unwanted adverse reactions, as well as improve efficacy, current researches are seeking alternatives to conventional antidepressants. Phytochemicals provide an extensive research area in antidepressant therapies. The aim of the present study is to comprehensively review neurological evidences demonstrating the efficacy of phytochemicals in depression. For this purpose, electronic databases were searched to collect all data on the antidepressant mechanisms of phytochemicals from 1966 up to 2015. Plant metabolites from different categories including polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignanes, coumarins), alkaloids, terpenes and terpenoids, saponins and sapogenins, amines, and carbohydrates were found to possess antidepressant activity. Naringenin, quercetin derivatives, eugenol, piperine, diterpene alkaloids, berberine, hyperforin, riparin derivatives, ginsenosides, as well as β-carboline alkaloids are among the most relevant ones. Naringenin has represented its antidepressant effect by elevation of serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glucocorticoid receptors. Piperine demonstrated inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzymes, elevation of brain 5-HT and BDNF levels, and modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic effect of berberine has been proven in several studies. Quercetin derivatives have revealed antidepressant potential via elevating pro-opiomelanocortin and neuroprotective properties, as well as reduction of proinflammatory cytokines. Assessing the structure-activity relationship of highly potent antidepressant phytochemicals is suggested to find future natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic antidepressants. Further clinical studies are also necessary for confirmation of natural antidepressant efficacy and completion of their safety profile.
