Efficacy of whole extract of licorice in neurological improvement of patients after acute ischemic stroke

Abstract Objective Licorice root has been reported to contain several neuroprotective compounds. In the present study we investigated its benefit in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke for which, treatment modalities are limited. Design Randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. Subjects 75 patients admitted to the neurology emergency department of Namazi hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. Intervention Patients were randomly prescribed oral 450 mg or 900 mg licorice extract or placebo capsules three times daily for 7 days. National institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores were assessed before initiation of therapy and 3 months after treatment. Improvement of these scores were compared between study and control groups. Results Mean NIHSS scores in 450 mg and 900 mg groups decreased from an initial score of 10.68 and 10.44 to 6.4 and 5.48 after 3 months respectively; while in the control group changed from 8.36 to 5.64. The decline in NIHSS scores were significantly greater in licorice treated groups than the control group. Similarly the decrease in MRS was greater in the licorice treated groups (4.2–2.9 in 450 mg licorice group, and 4.4–2.8 in 900 mg licorice group) versus the control group (3.9–2.8). None of the participants developed adverse reactions attributed to licorice overdose. Conclusions The results of this study support the beneficial effect of whole licorice extract in neurologic improvement of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Licorice may be useful as a medication for the treatment of the adverse effects caused by acute ischemic stroke.