Successful Treatment with a Combination of Oral and Topical Glycyrrhizinic Acid in an Immunocompetent Anogenital Warts Patient.

INTRODUCTION

Anogenital warts (AGW) are benign proliferative diseases caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV), characterized by verrucous papules on the genital or anal region In line with these findings, the prevalence of AGW is high among males and increasing in Indonesia, and most patients seek treatment because warts are cosmetically disfiguring and itchy. Self-applied treatments may cause local adverse effects such as irritation or burning. Oral and topical administration of glycyrrhizinic acid (Gly) has been observed to have antiviral and anticancer properties.

CASE REPORT

A 21-year-old immunocompetent patient presented with multiple verrucous lesions on the anal region. Histopathological results showed condyloma acuminate type of AGW, and polymerase chain reaction results showed HPV type 11. The patient was treated with a combination of 10 mL oral Gly thrice daily and self-applied topical Gly three to four pumps thrice daily. The lesions gradually resolved after the first week of the combination of treatments. Subsequently, after 12 weeks of treatment, the wart decreased to one verrucous lesion, and the patient showed no adverse effects.

DISCUSSION

Gly exhibited broad-spectrum antiviral effects against HPV, herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, and others. Oral and topical applications are considered safer than intravenous administration. Previous studies on Gly-based topical treatment showed effectiveness in the treatment of AGW with minimal side effects. Oral Gly supplements also have been found to enhance immune response and aid in HPV treatment, particularly when combined with topical Gly. According to the results, a combination of oral and topical Gly leads to high HPV clearance rates, making it a promising non-invasive treatment option.

CONCLUSION

The combination of topical and oral Gly appears to be a promising self-applied treatment of AGW. However, the potential for recurrence warrants further observation and long-term follow-up studies.