Slide 1: Which common flavoring compound has been shown to help treat H. pylori-related peptic ulcers?

Slide 2: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Slide 3: Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease. The standard treatment is a two-week regimen of triple therapy, including clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and proton-pump inhibitor.

Slide 4: Licorice is a plant extract commonly used as flavoring in candies or sweets. In a study of 120 patients, H. pylori eradication was achieved in 83.3% of patients receiving licorice in addition to triple therapy, compared to 62.5% receiving standard triple therapy alone (p = 0.018). Graphic showing the percent of patients with H. pylori eradication in those receiving triple therapy plus licorice versus triple therapy alone.

Slide 5: Licorice’s mechanism of action is thought to be via direct antimicrobial action against H. pylori, with one in vitro study showing inhibition of H. pylori protein synthesis, DNA gyrase, and dihydrofolate reductase.