Glycyrrhizinic acid, the main active compound in licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), has been studied for its potential benefits in liver diseases, including cirrhosis. Its use is particularly well-established in East Asian countries, notably Japan, where an intravenous glycyrrhizin preparation (Stronger Neo-Minophagen C, SNMC) has been used for decades as a supportive treatment for chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Glycyrrhizin exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and hepatoprotective properties. Several clinical studies and meta-analyses, primarily from Asia, suggest that glycyrrhizin may help reduce hepatic inflammation, improve liver function tests (e.g., ALT, AST), and slow the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis patients, which can be a precursor to cirrhosis.

However, the evidence specific to cirrhosis is less robust. Most clinical trials focus on hepatitis B and C, with some showing that long-term glycyrrhizin administration reduces the risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mechanistically, glycyrrhizin is thought to inhibit oxidative stress and modulate immune responses in the liver. Nevertheless, there is a lack of large, high-quality randomized controlled trials directly addressing cirrhosis outcomes. Glycyrrhizin also carries a risk of side effects, such as pseudoaldosteronism and hypertension, which can be significant with chronic use.

In summary, there is scientific evidence, especially from Asian clinical practice, supporting the use of glycyrrhizinic acid in chronic liver disease, with moderate evidence for benefit in cirrhosis, but further high-quality research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety in this specific population.