Evaluation of role of liquorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) as an adjuvant in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of Liquorice in Pulmonary Tuberculosis and its effect on adverse effects of First line Antitubercular drugs in tubercular patients. METHODS: Present study was a prospective, double blind, randomized, placebo control comprised of 60 patients on first line Antitubercular Therapy in DOTS strategy. RESULTS: In this study administration of liquorice 500 mg and matched placebo capsule twice daily for 12 weeks plus DOTS therapy was associated with better sputum conversion rate. In liquorice group, cough was relieved in 96.15% patients, fever in all and expectoration in 96.15%. In placebo group, cough was relieved in 87.4%, fever in 80.9% and expectoration in 92.5%. A significant mean increase in HRQL scores by 6.76(24.40%) in liquorice group than in placebo group. At the end of 12 weeks significant mean increase in SGPT and SGOT by 8.3IU/L (26.2%) and 2.2 IU/L (6.4%) in placebo group and non-significant mean increase by 1IU/L (2.9%) and 1.3 IU/L (3.9%) in Liquorice group. CONCLUSION: The present study recommends Liquorice as an adjuvant to DOTS therapy is beneficial in pulmonary tuberculosis patients in relieving symptoms and attenuating the adverse effects of anti-TB drugs, thus improving patient’s treatment acceptance and early rehabilitation of TB patients.