A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Fermented Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Extract

Summary

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of oral α-amylase enzyme replacement therapy in treating early-stage diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The study was conducted at Al-Azhar University Hospitals with 83 diabetic patients randomized to receive either fermented deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract (FDGL) containing α-amylase enzyme (2500 IU/gm) or placebo for 6 months. Primary outcomes measured improvements in nerve conduction velocity and vibration perception threshold.

Timeline

Start

2023-01-10

Primary completion

2024-02-01

Completion

2024-08-15

Publications

• Massoud AMA, Massoud HMA, El-Shawarby AA, Elseidy MI. Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of fermented deglycyrrhizinated licorice for treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy. Endocrine. 2026 Feb 2;91(1):51. doi: 10.1007/s12020-025-04476-5.

Drugs

Indications