Candy Compound Fights Gut Disease

Black licorice, that divisive candy from childhood, hides a potent weapon against the gut-wrenching agony of inflammatory bowel disease.

Story Highlights

University of Tokyo researchers screened 3,500 compounds using stem cell-grown human intestines, pinpointing glycyrrhizin from licorice root as the top protector against cell death in IBD.
Glycyrrhizin blocks tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis, a core driver of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis damage.
Mouse studies confirmed reduced inflammation, less cell death, and reversed colon shortening with oral glycyrrhizin.
Gut bacteria break down glycyrrhizin, suggesting targeted delivery for human treatments.

Stem Cell Intestines Uncover Licorice’s Secret Power

Yu Takahashi’s team at the University of Tokyo engineered miniature human intestines from stem cells. These organoids mimic the gut’s structure. Researchers flooded them with tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the protein spiking in Crohn’s patients and triggering cell suicide. Among 3,500 compounds tested, glycyrrhizin stood out. It slashed cell death by blocking apoptosis pathways. This natural extract from Glycyrrhiza glabra root, 30 times sweeter than sugar, protected the fragile epithelial barrier.

Glycyrrhizin Targets IBD’s Deadly Mechanism

Glycyrrhizin inhibits TNF-driven inflammation directly. In the organoid model, it prevented the orderly self-destruction of intestinal cells. This apoptosis cascade destroys the gut lining in IBD, worsening ulcers and pain. The compound’s effectiveness held across tests, outperforming synthetic drugs in this screen. Traditional Chinese medicine has used licorice for gut issues for centuries; now science validates why.

Mouse Models Validate Real-World Gut Protection

Researchers induced colitis in mice using dextran sodium sulfate, replicating IBD’s chemical damage. Oral glycyrrhizin cut inflammation markers and epithelial cell death. Colon tissues showed less damage on histology. The hallmark colon shortening reversed, signaling milder disease. Body weight loss improved, though not always statistically significant. These results mirror human pathology, building confidence for clinical trials.

Gut bacteria metabolize glycyrrhizin into inactive forms, limiting its reach deep in the intestines. This breakdown explains variable past results. Future therapies might encase it for bacterial activation or use modified versions.

Broad Licorice Legacy in Gut Health

Licorice flavonoid extracts ease ulcerative colitis by curbing pro-inflammatory cytokines. They block MAPK and NF-κB pathways, key inflammation switches. PPARγ upregulation aids healing. Studies restore gut microbe balance, boosting Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Glabridin from licorice reduces nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and cytokines in colitis models.

Black licorice compound shows promise against inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers have developed a stem cell-based model of the human intestine that may transform how new IBD treatments are discovered. After testing thousands of compounds, they identified glycyrrhizin — a…

— The Something Guy 🇿🇦 (@thesomethingguy) May 10, 2026

Glycyrrhizin’s promise challenges reliance on biologics with harsh side effects. Millions suffer IBD’s flares; a candy-root derivative offers hope. Larger human trials loom. Until then, moderation rules—excess licorice risks blood pressure spikes from its sweetness.