[Protective effect of glycyrrhizine in mice with systemic Candida albicans infection and its mechanism].

We proved that a Chinese herb extract--Glycyrrhizine, the sweet component of Licorice root--protected mice from Candida albicans infection in doses of 0.5 mg/(kg.d) for 15-20 d. After administration of the above doses, the mortality rate of infected mice was decreased from 100% to 65%; the survival time was extended from 6.76 +/- 1.95 to 10.99 +/- 7.24 days after infection with lethal spores; and the toxic symptoms were also alleviated. The mechanism of protection is probably related to several factors, such as plasma opsonin activity promotion, enhancement of NK cell activity, increasing levels of plasma SOD, etc. All of this indicates that GCZ might be used as an accessory drug in the treatment of severe fungal infection.