Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of <i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i> L. (Fabaceae)

Traditional herbal remedies have been attracting attention as prospective alternative resources of therapy for diverse diseases across many nations. In recent decades, medicinal plants have been gaining wider acceptance due to the perception that these plants, as natural products, have fewer side ef...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gaber El-Saber Batiha, Amany Magdy Beshbishy, Amany El-Mleeh, Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim, Hari Prasad Devkota
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
Series:Biomolecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/10/3/352
Description
Summary:Traditional herbal remedies have been attracting attention as prospective alternative resources of therapy for diverse diseases across many nations. In recent decades, medicinal plants have been gaining wider acceptance due to the perception that these plants, as natural products, have fewer side effects and improved efficacy compared to their synthetic counterparts. <i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i> L. (Licorice) is a small perennial herb that has been traditionally used to treat many diseases, such as respiratory disorders, hyperdipsia, epilepsy, fever, sexual debility, paralysis, stomach ulcers, rheumatism, skin diseases, hemorrhagic diseases, and jaundice. Moreover, chemical analysis of the <i>G. glabra</i> extracts revealed the presence of several organic acids, liquirtin, rhamnoliquirilin, liquiritigenin, prenyllicoflavone A, glucoliquiritin apioside, 1-metho-xyphaseolin, shinpterocarpin, shinflavanone, licopyranocoumarin, glisoflavone, licoarylcoumarin, glycyrrhizin, isoangustone A, semilicoisoflavone B, licoriphenone, and 1-methoxyficifolinol, kanzonol R and several volatile components. Pharmacological activities of <i>G. glabra</i> have been evaluated against various microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>, and completely eradicated <i>P. yoelii</i> parasites. Additionally, it shows antioxidant, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. The current review examined the phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxic activities of <i>G. glabra</i> extracts as well as its phytoconstituents.
ISSN:2218-273X