Pharmacological Properties of Glycyrrhiza Compounds

Glycyrrhiza species, commonly known as licorice, yield a range of bioactive constituents including triterpene glycosides (notably glycyrrhizic acid), flavonoids (such as liquiritin, liquiritigenin and licochalcone A) and various coumarins. These compounds exhibit broad pharmacological activities spanning anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators (for example TNF-α, COX-2 and iNOS), modulation of key signalling cascades (including NF-κB, MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways), stabilisation of mast cells and suppression of oxidative stress. In liver models, glycyrrhizic acid attenuates apoptosis and necrosis, while in cancer cell lines licorice flavonoids induce cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy. Antiviral actions have been observed against influenza and hepatitis viruses through interference with viral replication and downregulation of redox-sensitive signalling. The safety profile of licorice preparations is generally favourable, although mineralocorticoid-like effects require careful dosing. These multifaceted properties underline the global significance of Glycyrrhiza compounds for the development of novel therapeutics in inflammatory, infectious, hepatic and neoplastic diseases.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have elucidated the cancer-suppressive mechanisms of licochalcone A, showing that it elevates intracellular reactive oxygen species to trigger mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and autophagy. This effect involves inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and activation of MAPK family members (ERK, JNK and p38), with in vivo models confirming significant tumour growth inhibition. In parallel, investigations into glycyrrhizic acid have revealed potent anti-allergic activity in IgE-mediated models. Glycyrrhizic acid restores Th1/Th2 balance by reducing IL-4 levels, inhibits B-cell production of allergen-specific antibodies and acts as a mast cell stabiliser by blocking Orai1, STIM1 and TRPC1 channels to prevent calcium-dependent degranulation and vascular leakage.

Pharmacological Properties of Glycyrrhiza Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pharmacological properties of glycyrrhiza compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Glycyrrhizic acid: A triterpene glycoside abundant in licorice root with multiple bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, antiviral and hepatoprotective effects.

Licochalcone A: A flavonoid derived from Glycyrrhiza species that modulates oxidative stress and signalling pathways to induce apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells.

NF-κB: Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, a transcription factor central to inflammatory and immune responses.

MAPK: Mitogen-activated protein kinase, a family of enzymes that transduce extracellular signals into cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

References

1. The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice, a widely used Chinese herb. Pharmaceutical Biology (2016).
2. Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae). Biomolecules (2020).
3. Glycyrrhizic Acid in the Treatment of Liver Diseases: Literature Review. BioMed Research International (2014).
4. Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Licorice Extract and Its Active Compounds, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Liquiritin and Liquiritigenin, in BV2 Cells and Mice Liver. Molecules (2015).
5. Licochalcone A induces autophagy through PI3K/Akt/mTOR inactivation and autophagy suppression enhances Licochalcone A-induced apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells. Oncotarget (2015).
6. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants (2021).
7. Licochalcone A-induced human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells apoptosis by regulating ROS-mediated MAPKs and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Scientific Reports (2015).
8. Anti-allergic activity of glycyrrhizic acid on IgE-mediated allergic reaction by regulation of allergy-related immune cells. Scientific Reports (2017).
9. Glycyrrhizin Exerts Antioxidative Effects in H5N1 Influenza A Virus-Infected Cells and Inhibits Virus Replication and Pro-Inflammatory Gene Expression. PLOS ONE (2011).
10. Glycyrrhizin as antiviral agent against Hepatitis C Virus. Journal of Translational Medicine (2011).
11. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Flavanones from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) Leaf Phytocomplexes: Identification of Licoflavanone as a Modulator of NF-kB/MAPK Pathway. Antioxidants (2019).
12. Licochalcone A Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Lung Cancer Cell Lines A549 and H460 by Inducing G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and ER Stress. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2017).