Glychyrrizin is a triterpene glycoside that is abundantly found in licorice root (<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i>) and is the main sweet-tasting component in black licorice. This saponin has shown interesting biological behavior beyond a flavoring constituent, such as antibacterial and antiviral activities. Recent studies show that glychyrrizin can inhibit the main 3CL protease of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In a multistage laboratory exercise for an advanced undergraduate course in the High Point University Honors Program, the extraction of glychyrrizin from multiple plant and food sources was performed. Following LC-MS quantification of the extracted natural product, fluorometric-based protease inhibition assays were evaluated.

Extraction and quantification of glychyrizzin for SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibition studies

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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