Substances derived from the licorice plant (photo) may play a role in preventing or treating certain types of cancer, according to researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford. Gnanasekar Munirathinam, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, and his research team are studying substances derived from the licorice plant Glycyrrhiza glabra (photo) to determine if they could be used to prevent or stop the growth of prostate cancer. A research review into molecular insights of a licorice-derived substance called glycyrrhizin for preventing or treating cancer conducted by Dr. Munirathinam and student researchers suggests further research could lead to specific agents for clinical use. The journal Pharmacological Research published the study titled “Oncopreventive and Oncotherapeutic Potential of Licorice Triterpenoid Compound Glycyrrhizin and Its Derivatives: Molecular Insights” in its April 2022 issue.