Stem Cell Model Identifies Licorice Compound as Potential IBD Treatment
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Researchers have used a stem cell-derived human intestine model to screen thousands of compounds for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A natural compound found in black licorice, glycyrrhizin, was found to significantly reduce cell death in the lab-grown tissue and lower inflammation in mice with IBD. The findings, published in Stem Cell Reports, could point toward new therapeutic avenues for the chronic condition.
Facts First
- A human intestine model developed from stem cells was used to screen for IBD treatments.
- Glycyrrhizin, a compound from black licorice, reduced intestinal cell death in the lab-grown tissue.
- In mice with IBD, glycyrrhizin lowered inflammation and reduced damage to intestinal cells.
- Researchers screened approximately 3,500 compounds using the high-throughput screening method.
- An estimated 4 million people worldwide live with IBD, a number that is increasing.
What Happened
A research team led by Yu Takahashi at the University of Tokyo developed a human intestine model using stem cells. They triggered an IBD-like condition in the model by exposing the tissue to a major inflammatory protein linked to the disease. Using this model, the team screened approximately 3,500 compounds to find substances that could protect cells. They identified glycyrrhizin, a natural compound found in black licorice, which significantly reduced intestinal cell death in the model. In separate tests on mice with IBD, glycyrrhizin lowered inflammation levels and reduced damage to intestinal cells. The findings were published in the journal Stem Cell Reports.
Why this Matters to You
If you or someone you know is among the millions living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this research may eventually lead to new treatment options. Current treatments include anti-inflammatory and immune-targeting drugs, but this discovery of a natural compound's protective effect could open a different therapeutic path. The use of a human stem cell model for screening could accelerate the discovery of other potential drugs, which might mean more options could become available in the future.
What's Next
The findings represent a promising early-stage discovery. Glycyrrhizin's effectiveness in a human cell model and in mice suggests it warrants further investigation as a potential IBD therapy. The research team's screening method could be applied to test other compounds, potentially identifying more candidates for drug development. The next steps will likely involve more extensive preclinical studies to understand how glycyrrhizin works and to determine its safety and efficacy before any potential human trials.