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Review - Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Liquorice)
Abstract
Medicinal plants are being used for treating various diseases. According to World Health Organization 80% of the world population depends on indigenous medicinal plant remedies. Herbal medicine employs fruits, vegetables, as dry materials or their extracts for the treatment of different diseases and health maintenance. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) has been used in Europe since prehistoric times. It is well documented in written form starting with the ancient Greeks. Glycyrrhizin is the major active constituent obtained from liquorice roots, one of the most widely used in herbal preparations for the treatment of liver complaints. The plant is used as anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, laxative, anti-depressive, anti-ulcer and anti-diabetic. The present review focuses Glycyrrhiza glabra distribution, ethno botany, ethno pharmacology, chemical constituents, medicinal uses, cultivation and trade. Plant requires a lot of attention as it has been reduced in population due to over-use in Baluchistan. The plant conservationists should consider this herb as priority species and should start its cultivation on the commercial scale to fulfill the requirements of the local markets and pharmaceutical industries as well as reduce the pressure on the wild plants.
... In some countries, other GRER species are used in local medicinal applications. The genus Glycyrrhiza belongs to the Fabaceae family (Dastagir & Rizvi, 2016;Ramilowski et al., 2013) and is extensively distributed in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and America (W. Li, Luo, et al., 2019;Yan et al., 2023). ...
... There is a positive correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric diseases, such as gastric malignancy, chronic atrophic gastritis, and peptic ulcers. The root extract of G. glabra has gastrointestinal effects, such as anti-ulcer activity, adjustment of gastrointestinal motility, and protection of gastric epithelial cells (Dastagir & Rizvi, 2016;Yuhan Liu et al., 2021;Oh et al., 2009;Z.-G. Sun et al., 2019). ...
Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is a well-known herbal medicine with a wide range of pharmacological functions that has been used throughout Chinese history. This review presents a comprehensive introduction to this herb and its classical prescriptions. The article discusses the resources and distribution of species, methods of authentication and determination chemical composition, quality control of the original plants and herbal medicines, dosages use, common classical prescriptions, indications, and relevant mechanisms of the active content. Pharmacokinetic parameters, toxicity tests, clinical trials, and patent applications are discussed. The review will provide a good starting point for the research and development of classical prescriptions to develop herbal medicines for clinical use.
... Glycyrrhiza uralensis, G. glabra, and G. inflata are the most widely known and used licorice species. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region, Asia, and Russia, but also widely found throughout Europe, Australia, North America, and temperate regions of South America (Dastagir and Rizvi 2016;Li, Sun, and Liu 2019;Pastorino et al. 2018;Yang et al. 2015). The licorice root is yellow, soft and fibrous, and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine attributed to its pharmacological properties described below (Chen et al. 1993;Dastagir and Rizvi 2016;Li, Sun, and Liu 2019;Liu et al. 2013;Pastorino et al. 2018). ...
... This plant is native to the Mediterranean region, Asia, and Russia, but also widely found throughout Europe, Australia, North America, and temperate regions of South America (Dastagir and Rizvi 2016;Li, Sun, and Liu 2019;Pastorino et al. 2018;Yang et al. 2015). The licorice root is yellow, soft and fibrous, and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine attributed to its pharmacological properties described below (Chen et al. 1993;Dastagir and Rizvi 2016;Li, Sun, and Liu 2019;Liu et al. 2013;Pastorino et al. 2018). More than 20 triterpenes and almost 300 flavonoids were identified in the licorice root, including licochalcone A (LicoA) shown in Figure 1, one of the main active components (Li, Sun, and Liu 2019;Simmler et al. 2014;Wang et al. 2015). ...
Licochalcone A (LicoA) is a flavonoid derived from Glycyrrhiza spp. plants. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and chemopreventive effects of LicoA in in vitro and in vivo systems. The results showed that LicoA (197.1 μM) scavenged 77.92% of free radicals. Concentrations of 147.75 µM or higher LicoA produced cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts. LicoA treatments of 4.43 to 10.34 µM did not exert genotoxic activity, but at 11.8 µM significantly lowered nuclear division indexes, compared to negative control, revealing cytotoxicity. Lower concentrations (1.85 to 7.39 µM) exhibited protective activity against chromosomal damage induced by doxorubicin (DXR) or methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in CHO cells. LicoA exerted no marked influence on DXR-induced genotoxicity in mouse erythrocytes, but reduced pre-neoplastic lesions induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in rat colon at 3.12 to 50 mg/kg b.w. Biochemical markers and body weight indicated no apparent toxicity. These findings contribute to better understanding the mechanisms underlying LicoA-initiated activity as a promising chemopreventive compound.
Abbreviations:
AC, aberrant crypts; ACF, aberrant crypt foci; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BOD, biochemical oxygen demand; CHO, Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast; DMH, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; DXR, doxorubicin hydrochloride; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; GA, gallic acid; LicoA, licochalcone A; MMS, methyl methanesulfonate; MNBC, micronucleated binucleated cells; MNPCE, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte; NCE, normochromatic erythrocyte; NDI, nuclear division index; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; PCE, polychromatic erythrocyte; XTT, 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide.
... [26] Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine in various countries for many years. [27,28] G glabra has been reported for various clinical effects, such as antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antioxidative, hepatoprotective, anxiolytic, and even antitumor. [29] Furthermore, a root extract of G glabra is also reported to have favorable gastrointestinal effects, such as antiulcer activity, gastric epithelial cell protection, and gastrointestinal motility regulation. ...
... Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice, has been traditionally used to treat patients with peptic ulcers in Oriental medicine [27] and showed anti-H pylori and antiulcer activities in in vitro studies. [30,33,34,69] Aqueous extract from the roots of this plant was also reported to suppress H pylori activity through antiadhesion effects of H pylori to the gastric epithelium and antioxidative effects against gastric mucosal injury. ...
Background:
Lactobacillus paracasei and Glycyrrhiza glabra have been reported as having beneficial effects on Helicobacter pylori infection. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of fermented milk containing L paracasei HP7 and G glabra in patients with H pylori infection.
Methods:
This multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 2 hospitals from April to December 2017. Patients with H pylori infection were randomized into either the treatment group (fermented milk with L paracasei HP7 and G glabra) or placebo group (fermented milk only) once daily for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the gastric load of H pylori measured by C-urea breath test (UBT). Secondary endpoints were histologic and clinical improvement.
Results:
A total of 142 patients were randomly allocated to the treatment (n = 71) or placebo groups (n = 71). Compared to baseline data, the quantitative value of C-UBT at 8 weeks was significantly reduced in the treatment group (from 20.8 ± 13.2% to 16.9 ± 10.8%, P = .035), but not in the placebo group (P = .130). Chronic inflammation improved significantly only in the treatment group (P = .013), whereas the neutrophil activity deteriorated significantly only in the placebo group (P = .003). Moreover, the treatment group had significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms (P = .049) and quality of life (P = .029). No serious adverse events were observed.
Conclusion:
The combination of fermented milk containing L paracasei and G glabra reduced H pylori density and improved histologic inflammation. However, their mechanisms of action should be elucidated in further studies.
... The licorice root color is yellow because of its flavonoid components such as hispaglabridins and glabridin [17]. Additionally, the dried aqueous extracts of licorice contain approximately 4-25% glycyrrhizinic acid [18]. The main active ingredients of licorice are liquiritin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, and glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhiza polysaccharide, and this herb is rich in flavonoids and syringic, abscisic, trans-ferrulic, 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic, abscisic, and salicyclic acids [7,9,19]. ...
... The proven and potent The licorice root color is yellow because of its flavonoid components such as hispaglabridins and glabridin [17]. Additionally, the dried aqueous extracts of licorice contain approximately 4-25% glycyrrhizinic acid [18]. The main active ingredients of licorice are liquiritin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, and glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhiza polysaccharide, and this herb is rich in flavonoids and syringic, abscisic, trans-ferrulic, 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic, abscisic, and salicyclic acids [7,9,19]. ...
Supplementation of livestock and poultry diets with herbal plants containing bioactive components have shown promising reports as natural feed supplements. These additives are able to promote growth performance and improve feed efficiency, nutrient digestion, antioxidant status, immunological indices, and poultry health. Several studies have used complex herbal formulas with the partial inclusion of licorice. However, the individual use of licorice has been rarely reported. The major problem of the poultry industry is the epidemiological diseases, mainly confined to the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems. Licorice has certain bioactive components such as flavonoids and glycyrrhizin. The roots of this herb contain 1 to 9% glycyrrhizin, which has many pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antiviral, anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties. Licorice extracts (LE) have a positive effect on the treatment of high-prevalence diseases such as the immune system, liver, and lung diseases. Studies showed that adding LE to drinking water (0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 g/L) reduced serum total cholesterol (p < 0.05) of broiler chickens. Moreover, LE supplementation in poultry diets plays a significant role in their productive performance by enhancing organ development and stimulating digestion and appetite. Along with its growth-promoting effects, licorice has detoxifying, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other health benefits in poultry. This review describes the beneficial applications and recent aspects of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) herb, including its chemical composition and role in safeguarding poultry health.
... Licorice is a very sweet, moist, and soothing herb with anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that can control coughs and have hormonal effects [24]. It also has detoxifying and liver-protective properties. ...
... Licorice has been used for respiratory disorders as an expectorant and antitussive agent since long time ago (49). Significant improvements in clinical symptoms including dyspnea and dry coughs have already been reported following Licorice use (47). ...
Background: Licorice is proposed as a treatment option for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) by inhibiting the virus binding, penetration and replication; it also modulates various cellular signaling pathways. In this double-blind randomized-controlled trial, efficacy of Licorice hydroalcoholic extract oral formulation has been evaluated in patients with mild–moderate COVID-19in an outpatient clinic. Methods: A total of 40 mild to moderate outpatient Covid-19cases were randomly assigned into either Licorice or placebo groups (n=20 in each). Patients in Licorice group were given 700 mg capsules of hydroalcoholic extract of Licorice, trice a day for 2 weeks, while controls were given placebo capsules that were filled with Avicel (microcrystalline cellulose). Blood samples were collected from all participants before starting the medication and on days three, seven, and 14 for laboratory parameters including quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP), WBCs, lymphocytes, and neutrophils counts. The clinical symptoms were also recorded. Results: Our results showed that Licorice extract significantly decreased the frequency of cough on day seven (P=0.004) and the frequency of dyspnea on day three (P=0.02). No significant differences were found in the frequency of nausea, diarrhea, body pain, sore throat, runny nose, dizziness, lethargy, and loss of taste or smell between the two groups. Patients in Licorice group showed significantly higher oxygen saturations on days three, seven, and 14. Other laboratory parameters did not show any changes between the two groups. Conclusion: Licorice extract improved some clinical symptoms such as cough and dyspnea while only increased the oxygen saturation. Further studies with larger sample sizes at different stages of Covid-19are suggested.
... GTase synthesizes sticky dextran from sucrose and promotes the formation of oral biofilms and the attachment of oral microorganisms [47]. GLY is also demonstrated to inhibit the synthesis of cell membranes of S. enterica by abrogating GTase activity, thereby inhibiting the formation of dental organisms [25,48,49,89]. Even in the presence of sucrose, GLY markedly impedes adhesion (plaque formation) without impacting bacterial growth. ...
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the family Fabaceae/ Leguminosae and is a renowned natural herb with a long history of medicinal use dating back to ancient times. Glycyrrhizin (GLY), the main active component of licorice, serves as a widely utilized therapeutic agent in clinical practice. GLY exhibits diverse medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, immunomodulatory, intestinal environment maintenance, and liver protection effects. However, current research primarily emphasizes GLY's antiviral activity, while providing limited insight into its antibacterial properties. GLY demonstrates a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity via inhibiting the growth of bacteria by targeting bacterial enzymes, impacting cell membrane formation, and altering membrane permeability. Moreover, GLY can also bolster host immunity by activating pertinent immune pathways, thereby enhancing pathogen clearance. This paper reviews GLY's inhibitory mechanisms against various pathogenic bacteria-induced pathological changes, its role as a high-mobility group box 1 inhibitor in immune regulation, and its efficacy in combating diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, combining GLY with other antibiotics reduces the minimum inhibitory concentration, potentially aiding in the clinical development of combination therapies against drug-resistant bacteria. Sources of information were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and GreenMedical for the keywords "licorice", "Glycyrrhizin", "antibacterial", "anti-inflammatory", "HMGB1", and combinations thereof, mainly from articles published from 1979 to 2024, with no language restrictions. Screening was carried out by one author and supplemented by others. Papers with experimental flaws in their experimental design and papers that did not meet expectations (antifungal papers, etc.) were excluded.
... Li-corice has been used in China and Europe since prehistoric times. Licorice root is one of the most widely used herbal preparation to treat liver diseases [2]. ...
... Licorice is a species of the legume plant, mainly divided into Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat, and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Licorice root has a long history of consumption and is still used as a dietary supplement to improve health in many regions [12]. Many studies have demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of licorice; for example, glycyrrhizin alleviated endotoxin-induced acute liver injury [13], the ethanol extract of licorice attenuated high-fat-diet-induced liver lipid accumulation [14], isoliquiritigenin activated the peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha to alleviate alcoholic liver injury [15], etc. Glabridin (Gla), a kind of isoflavone, is derived from G. glabra L. roots, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic effects [16]. ...
Licorice is a traditional and versatile herbal medicine and food. Glabridin (Gla) is a kind of isoflavone extracted from the licorice root, which has anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerotic, and antioxidative effects. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a widespread liver disease induced by chronic alcohol consumption. However, studies demonstrating the effect of Gla on ALD are rare. The research explored the positive effect of Gla in C57BL/6J mice fed by the Lieber–DeCarli ethanol mice diet and HepG2 cells treated with ethanol. Gla alleviated ethanol-induced liver injury, including reducing liver vacuolation and lipid accumulation. The serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were decreased in the Gla-treated mice. The reactive oxygen species and apoptosis levels were attenuated and antioxidant enzyme activity levels were restored in ethanol-induced mice by Gla treatment. In vitro, Gla reduced ethanol-induced cytotoxicity, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation, and enhanced nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation. Anisomycin (an agonist of p38 MAPK) eliminated the positive role of Gla on ethanol-caused oxidative stress and inflammation. On the whole, Gla can alleviate alcoholic liver damage via the p38 MAPK/Nrf2/NF-κB pathway and may be used as a novel health product or drug to potentially alleviate ALD.
... The altitude of the distribution areas ranges from 90 m below sea level to more than 3000 m (Liu et al. 2021). Glycyrrhiza has a wide range of effects, which can be used for anti-inflammatory, antivirus, clearing away heat and detoxification, invigorating the spleen, invigorating the stomach, and relieving pain and relieving cough etc. (Dastagir and Rizvi 2016). Glycyrrhiza has considerable economic value. ...
Climate change has a major impact on the growth and distribution of plants. Glycyrrhiza is widely used in the treatment of many diseases in China. However, with the overexploitation and the growing demand for medicinal uses in of Glycyrrhiza plants. The investigation of the geographical distribution of Glycyrrhiza plants and the analysis of future climate change are of great significance for the conservation of Glycyrrhiza. In this study, combined with administrative maps of Chinese provinces, the present and future of geographical distribution and richness of six Glycyrrhiza plants in China were studied by using DIVA-GIS and MaxEnt software. A total of 981 herbarium records of these six species of Glycyrrhiza were collected to research. Results show that the change of climate in the future will lead to an increase in habitat suitability for some Glycyrrhiza species as follows: Glycyrrhiza inflata by 61.6%, Glycyrrhiza squamulosa by 47.5%, Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora by 34.0%, Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis by 49.0%, Glycyrrhiza glabra by 51.7%, and Glycyrrhiza aspera by 65.9%. Glycyrrhiza plants have considerable medicinal and economic value, so it is necessary to adopt targeted development and rational management strategies for it.
... Natural sweeteners, such as licorice extract, mogrosides from Siraitia grosvenorri, and steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, were found to be 100-400 times sweeter than sucrose and showed low calories [1][2][3]. Glycyrrhizinate (GL) is the main bioactive constituent of licorice, which is 160 times sweeter than sucrose and possesses valuable bioactivities, including anticancer and antiviral activities [3][4][5]. However, GL has low absorption in the bloodstream [6]. ...
Glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-mono-β-d-glucuronide (GAMG), a rare and innovative compound in licorice, exhibits high-potency sweetness and improved physiological activities. However, low amounts of GAMG from plants cannot meet the demands of growing markets. In this study, an efficient one-pot multienzyme cascade reaction for GAMG biosynthesis was constructed using a coupled catalysis of glycosyltransferase and uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP) glucuronic acid (GlcA) regeneration system. The Glycyrrhiza uralensis glycosyltransferase UGT73F15 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The optimal reaction conditions of UGT73F15 were found to be pH 7.5 and 35 °C. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for glycyrrhetic acid (GA) was 2.14 min−1 mM−1 when using UDP-GlcA as sugar donor. To regenerate costly UDP-GlcA, the one-pot multienzyme cascade reaction including UGT73F15, sucrose synthase, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase was adopted to synthesize GAMG from GA on the basis of the UDP-GlcA regeneration system. By optimizing the cascade reaction conditions, the GAMG production successfully achieved 226.38 mg/L. Our study developed an economical and efficient one-pot multienzyme cascade method for facile synthesis of GAMG and other bioactive glucuronosides.
... In the past decade, the problems caused by orthodox medicines have resulted in an increased tendency of using plant-derived medicinal products. Three-quarters of the world's population is thought to rely on herbal and traditional medicine for primary health care [14][15][16][17][18][19]. A comparison of how people have used orthodox medicines and herbal remedies revealed that orthodox medicines, which often contain single pure chemical compounds and have good therapeutic results, have long-term adverse effects that can be passed on to the next generation; herbal medications, on the other hands, have fewer adverse effects and, in many situations, lead to very few or no issues [20,21]. ...
Medicinal plants are fast becoming a ready source of antiviral agents without the various limitations associated with synthetic drugs like viral resistance and exorbitant price ranges beyond the reach of 80% of the world population. Several studies have reported that plant metabolites can be used against a variety of infections caused by viruses. Some medicinal plants have been demonstrated to have an improved outcome in the treatment of emerging and re‐emerging viral infections. Hepatitis virus (HV) is responsible for billions of cases of liver infection worldwide and causes severe and frequently transmittable liver diseases. The drugs available in the market for the treatment of hepatitis infections are not sufficiently available and also cause undesirable effects in patients suffering from HV infection. Therefore, the exploration and use of plants as sources of medicines to treat the infection is of utmost importance. Medicinal plants synthesize and preserve a variety of biochemical products possessing potential therapeutic index, aiding elimination, and or inhibition of viruses. Each plant contains a priceless pool of active ingredients that could help in the production of pharmaceutical‐grade metabolites. As researchers and pharmaceutical establishments are striving to discover appropriate alternative inhibitors of the HV life cycle, it is important to document thenumerous potentially useful medicinal plants and herbs evaluated or waiting to be evaluated for anti‐HV activities. This review illustrates the description of medicinal plants, family, active ingredients, plant parts, and extracts used to treat HV and their mechanisms of action.
... Higher amounts of glycyrrhizin are associated with side effects such as hypermineral corticoid related side effects. Earlier studies have observed therapeutic effects of licorice on the liver disorders due its antiinflammation and hepatoprotective properties [97][98][99][100]. Therefore, efficacy of licorice root extract in NAFLD patients was conducted and it was observed that serum ALT and AST significantly decreased in licorice treated group as compared to the control group. ...
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is exponentially increasing serious chronic liver
disease around the world, characterized by abnormal accumulation of triglycerides in the liver with no or little alcohol consumption, affecting about one-third of the population in western countries.
In the US, NAFLD is the second leading cause of liver transplantation and is becoming the second cause of death in the general population [2]. NAFLD is an umbrella term encompassing a range of hepatic disorders, leading from simple hepatic steatosis to NASH, and fibrosis to cirrhosis [3]. A sedentary lifestyle along with high caloric diet intake remains the main cause of NAFLD in industrialized countries. Various studies have shown that NAFLD is a multisystem disorder augmenting the risk of many other diseases, including T2D, kidney diseases, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Notably, among NAFLD patients, CVD remains the main cause of demise [4]. The multifactorial nature of NAFLD is associated with multiplex pathogenesis[1,5]. The physiopathology of disease (NAFLD) was earlier elucidated based on the “two-hit hypothesis” proposing that accumulation of TG’s or the steatosis is the first hit and the inflammation triggered by the cytokines and the adipokines leading to NASH or fibrosis is the second hit [6]. The “multiple-hit hypothesis” proposes numerous insults acting simultaneously on predisposed genetic subjects promoting NAFLD. Multiple factors like nutritional factors, insulin resistance, hormones secreted by adipose tissue, gut microbiota, epigenetic along with genetic factors are included in multiple
... G. glabra and its bioactive phytochemicals holds multiple pharmacological activities like, antidemulcent, expectorant, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic as an evidence from various review held in recent past (Pandey et al., 2017;Sharma et al., 2018). Wider utility in traditional medicinal system and proven scientific validated studies makes liquorice and its bioactive compounds ( Fig. 1) as drug of choice to explore it more precisely for multiple health benefit possibilities as an evidence from many published studies reviewed in past (Revers, 1956;Ren and Wang, 1988;Olukoga and Donaldson, 2000;Saxena, 2005;Asl and Hosseinzadeh, 2008;Kaur et al., 2013;Kao et al., 2014;Hosseinzadeh and Nassiri-Asl, 2015;Yang et al., 2015;Dastagir and Rizvi, 2016;Pastorino et al., 2018;Sharma et al., 2018;Bredin, 2019;Mamedov and Egamberdieva, 2019;Batiha et al., 2020;Chen et al., 2020a;Jiang et al., 2020;Kwon et al., 2020;Rehman et al., 2020;Wang et al., 2020;Hasan et al., 2021;Sharifi-Rad et al., 2021). Further, utility through novel drug delivery specially nanomedicine approaches, cosmeceutical application and as an animal feed alternative are well discussed and reviewed recently (Alagawany et al., 2019;Ciganovic et al., 2019;Rani et al., 2021). ...
Background
Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (G. glabra) commonly known as liquorice is one of the highly exploited and utilized medicinal plant of the world. Since ancient times liquorice is considered as an auspicious and valuable traditional medicine across the world for treatment of various ailments.
Method
Several electronic online scientific databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Scifinder, Google Scholar, online books and reports were assessed for collecting information. All the collected information was classified into different sections to meet the objective of the paper.
Results
The electronic database search yielded 3908 articles from different countries. Out of them one ninety-eight articles published between 1956 and 2021 were included, corresponding to all detailed review on G. glabra and research on anti-inflammatories, antivirals and immunomodulatory through pre-clinical and clinical models. From all selective area of studies on G. glabra and its bioactive components it was established (including molecular mechanisms) as a suitable remedy as per the current requirement of pandemic situation arise through respiratory tract infection.
Conclusion
Different relevant studies have been thoroughly reviewed to gain an insight on utility of liquorice and its bioactive constituents for several pharmacological emphasizing anti-inflammatories, antivirals and immunomodulatory effects with special emphasized for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection with possible mechanism of action at molecular level. Proposed directions for future research are also outlined to encourage researchers to find out various mechanistic targets and useful value added products of liquorice in future investigations.
... Extractos de regaliz han sido utilizados para alteraciones in amatorias de la piel de manera tópica, y para úlceras gástricas y duodenales. No obstante, algunos pacientes desarrollaron efectos adversos como hipertensión, edema e hipocalemia lo que rea rma el hecho de que es difícil utilizar un producto en bruto sin esperar efectos no deseables 12 . El estudio se realizó dando tratamiento a ratas con gota a un grupo con la hierba en cuestión y al otro con alopurinol, tratamiento actual de primera línea, ambos por vía oral. ...
Introducción: Las recetas médicas o prescripciones históricas en el territorio de la Nueva Granada (hoy Colombia) revelan la evolución del manejo de la enfermedad en función de los efectos benéficos de administrar algún tipo de agente medicinal de origen vegetal, animal o mineral.
Objetivo: Describir el tratamiento del reumatismo en los siglos XVIII y XIX, con base en dos recetas médicas de la época con base en la fundamentación contemporánea de su interacción fisiológica.
Materiales y métodos: Búsqueda documental en el archivo Histórico de la Biblioteca Octavio Arizmendi Posada de la Universidad de La Sabana, donde se encontraron las recetas tituladas “Reumatismo” y “Rehumas”. Resultados: Se describen cuatro clases de tratamientos para las enfermedades reumáticas utilizados en los siglos XVIII y XIX y orientados principal-mente a la disminución del dolor. Este artículo presenta las bases fisiológicas de estos tratamientos, y cómo pudieron o no haber tenido algún efecto calmante al examinar su fisiología.
Conclusiones: Estos medicamentos coloniales neogranadinos no ameritan su uso en el contexto actual de la medicina, pero pudieron representar una ayuda terapéutica en su momento.
... G. glabra and its bioactive phytochemicals holds multiple pharmacological activities like, antidemulcent, expectorant, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic as an evidence from various review held in recent past (Pandey et al., 2017;Sharma et al., 2018). Wider utility in traditional medicinal system and proven scientific validated studies makes liquorice and its bioactive compounds ( Fig. 1) as drug of choice to explore it more precisely for multiple health benefit possibilities as an evidence from many published studies reviewed in past (Revers, 1956;Ren and Wang, 1988;Olukoga and Donaldson, 2000;Saxena, 2005;Asl and Hosseinzadeh, 2008;Kaur et al., 2013;Kao et al., 2014;Hosseinzadeh and Nassiri-Asl, 2015;Yang et al., 2015;Dastagir and Rizvi, 2016;Pastorino et al., 2018;Sharma et al., 2018;Bredin, 2019;Mamedov and Egamberdieva, 2019;Batiha et al., 2020;Chen et al., 2020a;Jiang et al., 2020;Kwon et al., 2020;Rehman et al., 2020;Wang et al., 2020;Hasan et al., 2021;Sharifi-Rad et al., 2021). Further, utility through novel drug delivery specially nanomedicine approaches, cosmeceutical application and as an animal feed alternative are well discussed and reviewed recently (Alagawany et al., 2019;Ciganovic et al., 2019;Rani et al., 2021). ...
Neurodegenerative disorders occur when nerve cells in the brain or peripheral nervous system partial or complete fail in their functions and sometimes even die due to some injuries or aging. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD), have been majorly resulted due to degeneration of neurons and neuroinflammation progressively. There are many similarities that correlates both AD and PD on a cellular and sub-cellular level. Therefore, a hope for therapeutic advancement for simultaneous upgradation in both the diseases are directly depending on the discovery of common mechanism at molecular and cellular level. Recent and past evidences from scientific literature supporting the efficacy of plants flavonoids in treatment and protection of both AD and PD. Further, dietary flavones, specially Heptamethoxyflavone, Kaempferitrin, Vitexin and Amentoflavone gains recently much more attention for producing many health beneficiary effects including neuroprotection. Despite of these evidence a detailed updated overview of neuroprotective effects against both AD and PD by Heptamethoxyflavone, Kaempferitrin, Vitexin and Amentoflavone are still missing. In this context several published studies were assessed by using various online electronic search engines/databases to meet the objective from 1981 to 2021 (Approx. 224). Therefore, present review was designed to deliver the detailed description on these flavones including therapeutic benefits in AD, PD and other CNS complications with critical analysis on underlying mechanisms.
... Glycyrrhizin is the primary active constituent of liquorice root. Liquorice has anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, laxative, anti-depressive, anti-ulcer, and anti-diabetic effects (88). The statement is supported by a rodent study in which glycyrrhizin combined with arginine seems to protect against hyperammonaemia and hepatic encephalopathy (45). ...
Liver cirrhosis is a disease characterised by multiple complications and a poor prognosis. The prevalence is increasing worldwide. Chronic inflammation is ongoing in liver cirrhosis. No cure for the inflammation is available, and the current treatment of liver cirrhosis is only symptomatic. However, several different medical agents have been suggested as potential healing drugs. The majority are tested in rodents, but few human trials are effectuated. This review focuses on medical agents described in the literature with supposed alleviating and curing effects on liver cirrhosis. Twelve anti-inflammatory, five antioxidative, and three drugs with effects on gut microflora and the LPS pathway were found. Two drugs not categorised by the three former categories were found in addition. In total, 42 rodent studies and seven human trials were found. Promising effects of celecoxib, aspirin, curcumin, kahweol, pentoxifylline, diosmin, statins, emricasan, and silymarin were found in cirrhotic rodent models. Few indices of effects of etanercept, glycyrrhizin arginine salt, and mitoquinone were found. Faecal microbiota transplantation is in increasing searchlight with a supposed potential to alleviate cirrhosis. However, human trials are in demand to verify the findings in this review.
... Extractos de regaliz han sido utilizados para alteraciones in amatorias de la piel de manera tópica, y para úlceras gástricas y duodenales. No obstante, algunos pacientes desarrollaron efectos adversos como hipertensión, edema e hipocalemia lo que rea rma el hecho de que es difícil utilizar un producto en bruto sin esperar efectos no deseables 12 . El estudio se realizó dando tratamiento a ratas con gota a un grupo con la hierba en cuestión y al otro con alopurinol, tratamiento actual de primera línea, ambos por vía oral. ...
... It contains pentanol, hexanol, linalool oxide, tetramethyl pyrazine, terpinen, terpinol, geraniol, propionic acid, benzoic acid, ethyl linolenate, methyl ethyl ketone, butanediol, feuferaldehyde, furfuryl formate, trimethylpyrazine, maltol, glycyrrhizin, tannin, and glycyrrhizic acid (Rekha and Parvathi, 2012). Glycyrrhiza glabra is used in gastric ulcer, lung congestion, hoarseness and throat problems (Dastagir and Rizvi, 2016). Memory enhancing activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra was reported in scopolamine induced dementia (Ambawade et al., 1998). ...
... Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) belongs to the family of Fabaceae and is among the most ancient medicinal plants [212]. It has several very well-known biological activities, such as antiviral (HIV, SARS-CoV), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-tumorigenic and anti-ulcer properties [209,210]. The root of Liquorice is known to have many bioactive components, including flavonoids, glycyrrhizic acid, triterpenoid, saponins, etc. [210,212]. ...
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is in focus over all known human diseases, because it is destroying the world economy and social life, with increased mortality rate each day. To date, there is no specific medicine or vaccine available against this pandemic disease. However, the presence of medicinal plants and their bioactive molecules with antiviral properties might also be a successful strategy in order to develop therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, this review will summarize the available literature and other information/data sources related to antiviral medicinal plants, with possible ethnobotanical evidence in correlation with coronaviruses. The identification of novel antiviral compounds is of critical significance, and medicinal plant based natural compounds are a good source for such discoveries. In depth search and analysis revealed several medicinal plants with excellent efficacy against SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, which are well-known to act on ACE-2 receptor, 3CLpro and other viral protein targets. In this review, we have consolidated the data of several medicinal plants and their natural bioactive metabolites, which have promising antiviral activities against coronaviruses with detailed modes of action/mechanism. It is concluded that this review will be useful for researchers worldwide and highly recommended for the development of naturally safe and effective therapeutic drugs/agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection, which might be used in therapeutic protocols alone or in combination with chemically synthetized drugs.
... Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) belongs to the family of Fabaceae and is among the most ancient medicinal plants [212]. It has several very well-known biological activities, such as antiviral (HIV, SARS-CoV), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-tumorigenic and anti-ulcer properties [209,210]. The root of Liquorice is known to have many bioactive components, including flavonoids, glycyrrhizic acid, triterpenoid, saponins, etc. [210,212]. ...
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is in focus over all known human diseases, because it is destroying the world economy and social life, with increased mortality rate each day. To date, there is no specific medicine or vaccine available against this pandemic disease. However, the presence of medicinal plants and their bioactive molecules with antiviral properties might also be a successful strategy in order to develop therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, this review will summarize the available literature and other information/data sources related to antiviral medicinal plants, with possible ethnobotanical evidence in correlation with coronaviruses. The identification of novel antiviral compounds is of critical significance, and medicinal plant based natural compounds are a good source for such discoveries. In depth search and analysis revealed several medicinal plants with excellent efficacy against SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, which are well-known to act on ACE-2 receptor, 3CLpro and other viral protein targets. In this review, we have consolidated the data of several medicinal plants and their natural bioactive metabolites, which have promising antiviral activities against coronaviruses with detailed modes of action/mechanism. It is concluded that this review will be useful for researchers worldwide and highly recommended for the development of naturally safe and effective therapeutic drugs/agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection, which might be used in therapeutic protocols alone or in combination with chemically synthetized drugs.
... This leads to water retention and hypertension. So, a DGL preparation was developed to reduce its adverse effects [37]. Additionally, fermentation of liquorice produces large amounts of essential enzymes as amylase and lipase which proved to be deficient in diabetic patients [38]. ...
... Stems several from the crown, erect, stiff, solid, shortly pubescent, branched [1]. Glycyrrhiza glabra is actively utilized in Ayurveda Siddha and Unani systems for their ulcer protective, demulcent, expectorant, anti-tussive and purgative activities [2]. The root of this plant has been used for cough, colds, asthma, and COPD [3]. ...
... Another variety is known as Jethimala (Taverniera nummularia Baker; Fabaceae) found in Saurashtra, Porabandar and Kutch (different regions of Gujarat) is being used as substitute of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. 8 Yashtimadhu plays an important part in Ayurveda and Siddha (Indian Traditional Medicine Systems) arrangement of drug acting as ulcer protective, demulcent, expectorant, antitussive and purgative 9 . Many research works have been carried out on different aspects of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. ...
... Citrarathai Rhizome anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial [14] 4 Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Liquorice Adhimadhuram Rhizome Anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, laxative, anti-depressive, anti-ulcer and antidiabetic [15] , neuroprotective [16] 5 ...
Recently, there is a surge among people in choosing alternative systems of medicine, especially Siddha, over modern medicine. Hence, it is very much essential to standardise Siddha drugs as specified by World Health Organisation. In the present study, we carried out phytochemical analysis of Siddha drug formulation Arathai Kudineer Churnam. HPTLC finger printing profile was developed in addition to assessing total phenols and flavonoids. The formulation was also screened for its cytotoxic effects against HepG2 liver carcinoma cells. HPTLC fingerprinting along with quantitative determination suggests the presence of several key phytochemical components including phenols and flavonoid compounds. Arathai kudineer significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells growth as well as depicted significant inhibition of free radicals in a dose dependent manner. Detailed studies will be conducted to characterise the bioactive components as well as elucidate the potential of Arathai kudineer to be used as a viable therapeutic agent.
... Citrarathai Rhizome anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial [14] 4 Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Liquorice Adhimadhuram Rhizome Anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, laxative, anti-depressive, anti-ulcer and antidiabetic [15] , neuroprotective [16] 5 ...
... Structures were compiled using ChemBioDraw 14.0 software and files were maintained in the mol2 format. [6][7][8][9] Screening of Chemical Constituents ...
Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the clinic. The pharmacodynamics and cellular pathways governing the effects of GQD on NAFLD remain undefined. In this study, we investigated GQD pharmacology through assessment of its chemical constituents and evaluated and screened its components using drug likeness, pharmacokinetic characteristics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity), and appropriate compensation mechanisms. We performed predictions of the active GQD ingredients based on reverse pharmacophore matching and compared multiple NAFLD-related genes to determine potential GQD targets. Molecular docking experiments of the active components were performed to reveal cellular targets. Annotation analysis of both target genes and related pathways were assessed through the DAVID database. Cytoscape software was used to construct a “component-target-path” network for the treatment of NAFLD by GQD. Through data analysis, 9 active GQD substances and 10 targets related to NAFLD encompassing 4 cellular pathways were identified. Data were verified through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. These findings provide new references for the network pharmacology of Chinese medicinal compounds and NAFLD treatment.
... Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) was developed to provide the therapeutic benefits of licorice to patients without its harmful side effects (Dastagir & Rizvi, 2016). Additionally, DGL showed effect of alleviation of ulcer in gastric mucosal damage in rats (Raveendra et al., 2012) and chewable DGL licorice tablets are used for health supplement (Thakur & Raj, 2017). ...
Licorice is used as a medicinal plant, and several studies have shown that licorice has beneficial effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of nonpolar licorice extract using toxicity experiments. Nonpolar extract from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (NERG) was analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant ability was determined by method of TPC and DPPH. Blood pressure was monitored by using blood pressure meter. In the acute study, a single dose (2,000 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice. In the subchronic study, mice were treated with extract at doses (50, 100, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) for 120 days. Significantly difference was not shown at blood pressure, hematological, and biochemical parameters, and histopathology on mice. The results suggested that at acute and subchronic toxicity, each levels of nonpolar licorice extract administration in experiments did not cause toxicity effects or death on mice. In the acute study, a single dose (2,000 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice. In the subchronic study, mice were treated with extract at doses (50, 100, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) for 120 days. The results suggested that at acute and subchronic toxicity, each levels of nonpolar licorice extract administration in experiments did not cause toxicity effects or death on mice.
... Citri Rubrum Exocarpium was currently used to protect the stomach, reduce food accumulation and eliminate dampness . Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, has been mentioned in many formulas for the anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory effects (Dastagir & Rizvi, 2016), and could reduce toxicity or enhance the effectiveness with other herbs (Wang et al., 2013). The combination of the four medicines (Coicis Semen, Hippophae Fructus, Citri Rubrum Exocarpium and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) was expected to enhance the functions of nourishing the stomach, alleviating edema and drying dampness. ...
Obesity is a worldwide public health issue, however, efficient strategies to treat obesity without systemic damage is still in serious lack. Herein, we proved that a significant decrease in body weight and abdominal circumference was observed when monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced obese mice were orally treated with Coicis Semen formula. Consistently, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging results showed that both whole-body fat content and subcutaneous fat thickness were lowered, which was further confirmed by hematoxylin–eosin staining. In addition, the weight ratios of adipose tissues and liver to the body weight were reduced, due to the decreased lipid accumulation. The increased triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokines could also be downregulated after the treatment. Furthermore, the neuronal injury marker and inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus were obviously reduced after the treatment, revealing that the protective effect of Coicis Semen formula on MSG-induced obesity was achieved by alleviating hypothalamic injury.
... Phytochemicals extracted from natural plants have received enormous attention recently because they are relatively safe with target capability to carcinomas through main signal transduction routes [5]. Licorice has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant for curing digestive problems, inflammation, and cancer [6]. We have previously found that licorice and their extracts have apoptotic effect, suggesting their potential as anticancer agents [7]. ...
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant cancers with a low 5-year survival rate. Licochalcone (LC) H, a chemically synthesized substance, is a regioisomer of LCC extracted from licorice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LCH might have anticancer effect on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines via apoptosis signaling pathway. After 48 h of treatment, IC50 of LCH in KYSE 30, KYSE 70, KYSE 410, KYSE 450, and KYSE 510 cells were 15, 14, 18, 15, and 16 μM, respectively. This study demonstrated that LCH potently suppressed proliferation of ESCC cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. LCH triggered G2/M-phase arrest by modulating expression levels of cdc2, cyclin B1, p21, and p27. LCH also induced apoptosis of ESCC cells through reactive oxygen species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via JNK/p38 activation pathways. The anticancer effect of LCH was associated with ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. It also affected protein levels of Mcl-1, tBid, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, PARP, cleaved-PARP, and ER stress-related proteins (GRP78 and CHOP). Our findings provide the first demonstration that LCH has anticancer effect on ESCC. Thus, LCH might have potential for preventing and/or treating human ESCC.
... The disadvantages of consuming liquorice daily for several weeks or longer can cause severe side effects including high blood pressure, low potassium levels, weakness, paralysis, and occasionally brain damage in otherwise healthy people. Many manufacturing companies use it as a sweetener for many products to mask the bitter taste 36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43 . ...
Aims
The aim of the present review was to highlight natural product investigations in silico and in vitro to find plants and chemicals that inhibit or stimulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2).
Background
The global reduction of incidents and fatalities attributable to infections with SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most public health problems. In the absence of specific therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), phytocompounds generated from plant extracts may be a promising strategy worth further investigation, motivating researchers to evaluate the safety and anti-SARS-CoV-2 effectiveness of these ingredients.
Objective
To review phytochemicals in silico for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and to assess their safety and effectiveness in vitro and in vivo.
Methods
The present review was conducted using various scientific databases and studies on anti-SARS-CoV-2 phytochemicals were analyzed and summarized. The results obtained from the in silico screening were subjected to extraction, isolation, and purification. The in vitro studies on anti-SarcoV-2 were also included in this review. In addition, the results of this research were interpreted, analyzed, and documented on the basis of the bibliographic information obtained.
Results
This review discusses recent research on using natural remedies to cure or prevent COVID-19 infection. The literature analysis shows that the various herbal preparations (extracts) and purified compounds can block the replication or entrance of the virus directly to carry out their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. It is interesting to note that certain items can prevent SARS-CoV-2 from infecting human cells by blocking the ACE-2 receptor or the serine protease TMPRRS2. Moreover, natural substances have been demonstrated to block proteins involved in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, such as papain- or chymotrypsin-like proteases.
Conclusion
The natural products may have the potential for use singly or in combination as alternative drugs to treat/prevent COVID-19 infection, including blocking or stimulating ACE-2. In addition, their structures may provide indications for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
Active ingredients were screened by TCMSP and swissADME, meanwhile, PharmMapper combined with UniProt database was used to predict the active ingredient target information, GeneCard database was employed to obtain Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related genes, Cytoscapes 3.7.2 software was utilized to map the active ingredient-target effect. Besides, Cytoscapes 3.7.2 software Bisogenet and Cyto NCA plug-in combined with STRING platform were utilized to map the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, DAVID was employed for GO annotation, while KEGG plug-in was used for KEGG pathway enrichment. Mice were tested for inflammatory damage induced by intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as learning memory and anxiety by water maze and open field tests. In addition, the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, together with inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β was analyzed in serum. The expression levels of proteins related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in the brain were detected by Western blot (WB) assay. According to the results of network pharmacology, there were 35 active ingredients of licorice stem and leaf flavonoids screened, which exerted the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effects via 67 targets and activated 41 signaling pathways including the PI3K-Akt pathway. Furthermore, Behavioural results revealed that Licorice stem and leaf flavonoids improved the learning and memory abilities of model mice and significantly improved the anxiety caused by inflammatory brain damage. Moreover, as suggested by HE staining and TUNEL staining of brain sections, Glycyrrhiza glabra stem and leaf flavonoids alleviated morphological lesions and cell nuclear damage in brain tissue. Results: of brain homogenate supernatant assay demonstrated that Glycyrrhiza glabra stem and leaf flavonoids had a significant effect on the levels of oxidative indicators superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malonaldehyde (MDA), acetylcholine (Ach), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and serum inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Additionally, WB assay results indicated that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was activated.
There are a few small organic molecules against SARS-CoV-2 that has been
discovered since the epidemic commenced in November 2019. The conventional
medication discovery approach demands more than a decade of
the year of laborious research and development and substantial financial
commitment, which is not achievable in the face of the current epidemic.
This study aims to discover and recognize the most effective and promising
molecules against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)
and spike protein targets through molecular docking screening of 120
phytochemicals from six different Ayurveda medicinal plants. The binding
affinities were studied using a structure-based drug design of molecular
docking, divulging 10 molecules possessing greater affinity towards the
target than the reference drug molnupiravir. Molecular docking analysis
identified 10 phytochemicals, castalagin, wedelolactone, arjungenin, betulin,
galbacin, shinpterocarpin, liquiritin, cordioside, licopyranocoumarin,
and daucosterol from different kinds of ayurvedic medicinal plants phytochemicals
possessing greater affinity against SARS-CoV-2-RdRp and spike
protein targets. Two molecules, namely castalagin and wedelolactone,
with low binding energies, were the most promising. Furthermore, we
carried out MD simulations for the castalagin-protein complexes based on
the docking score. Molecular ADMET profile estimation showed that the
docked phytochemicals were safe. The present study suggested that active
phytochemicals from medicinal plants could inhibit RdRp and spike the
protein of SARS-CoV-2.
Wound healing is characterized by a systemic and complex process of cellular and molecular activities. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate (DPG), a side product derived from glycyrrhizic acid, has several biological effects, such as being antiallergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, gastroprotective, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of topical DPG on the healing of cutaneous wounds by secondary intention in an in vivo experimental model. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used in the experiment, and were randomly divided into six groups of four. Circular excisions were performed and topically treated for 14 days after wound induction. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were performed. Gene expression was evaluated by real-time qPCR. Our results showed that treatment with DPG caused a decrease in the inflammatory exudate as well as an absence of active hyperemia. Increases in granulation tissue, tissue reepithelization, and total collagen were also observed. Furthermore, DPG treatment reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf-α, Cox-2, Il-8, Irak-2, Nf-kB, and Il-1) while increasing the expression of Il-10, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects across all three treatment periods. Based on our results, we conclude that DPG attenuates the inflammatory process by promoting skin wound healing through the modulation of distinct mechanisms and signaling pathways, including anti-inflammatory ones. This involves modulation of the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression; promotion of new granulation tissue; angiogenesis; and tissue re-epithelialization, all of which contribute to tissue remodeling.
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2 Mpro) is an important target for drug development amidst whole variants of coronaviruses, a vital protein for the replication cycle of virus.
Objective
The main aim of this study is to discover and recognize the most effective and promising molecules against Mpro enzyme through molecular docking screening of 120 phytochemicals from six different Ayurveda medicinal plants.
Methods
The phytochemicals were downloaded from PubChem, and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was taken from the protein data bank. The molecular interactions, binding energy, and ADMET properties were analyzed.
Results
Molecular docking analysis identified 10 phytochemicals, castalagin (-10.4 kcal/mol), wedelolactone (-8.0 kcal/mol), arjungenin (-7.7 kcal/mol), betulin (-7.7 kcal/mol), galbacin (-7.6 kcal/mol), shinpterocarpin (-7.6 kcal/mol), liquirtin (-7.4 kcal/mol), cordioside (-7.3 kcal/mol), licopyranocoumarin (-7.3 kcal/mol), and daucosterol (-7.1 kcal/mol) from different kinds of ayurvedic medicinal plants’ phytochemicals possessing greater affinity against Mpro of SARS-CoV-2. Two molecules, namely castalagin and wedelolactone, with low binding energies were the most promising. Furthermore, we carried out MD simulations for the castalagin complexes based on the docking score.
Conclusion
Molecular ADMET profile estimation showed the docked phytochemicals to be safe. The present study suggested that active phytochemicals from medicinal plants could inhibit Mpro of SARS-CoV-2.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the Glycyrrhiza glabra effect on growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant and lysosomal activity, histology and immunohistochemistry of liver and intestine, and the gene expression profile of broiler chickens. A total of 180 Cobb500 broiler chicks (one-week-old) were used in this study. Chicks were distributed randomly into three treatment groups; the first group received drinking water without any supplementation (control group). In contrast, birds in groups 2 and 3 received licorice supplementation in drinking water with 0.4 and 0.8 g licorice/liter, respectively. Results revealed that licorice at a 0.4 g/L of water level improved body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and FCR. Licorice also exhibits a broad range of biological activities such as hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, and antioxidant effects. The morphometric analysis of different parameters of the intestine revealed a significant increase in the intestinal villi length, width, and villi length/crypt depth in the group supplemented with licorice 0.4 gm/L compared to other groups. The number of CD3 positive in both duodenum and ileum was increased in the licorice 0.4 gm/L group compared to other groups. The expression of growth-related genes was significantly increased with licorice supplementation and modulation of the lipid metabolism genes in the liver and upregulated to the mRNA expression of both superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and Catalase (CAT). Our results revealed that licorice supplementation increased the growth performance of broiler chickens and impacted the birds’ antioxidant activity through modulation of the growth-related genes, lipid metabolic markers, and antioxidant-related pathways.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of essential ingredients of licorice on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Method: The ingredients information were obtained from PubChem (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), related genes about COPD was collected from geneCards (http://www.genecards.org/). Network pharmacology was utilized in this study.
Result: The intersection data set contains 20 molecular targets between COPD and liquorice. Protein-protein interaction network showed that there are a total of 58 nodes and 137 edges involved. The link number of AKT1 in PPI network was 39, which is the highest level of interaction. MAPK1 is an important target of Licorice on COPD.
Conclusion: MAPK signaling pathway could be the important key target of main ingredients of licorice on COPD.
The Glycyrrhiza genus, generally well-known as licorice, is broadly used for food and medicinal purposes around the globe. The genus encompasses a rich pool of bioactive molecules including triterpene saponins (e.g., glycyrrhizin) and flavonoids (e.g., liquiritigenin, liquiritin). This genus is being increasingly exploited for its biological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The species Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and the compound glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) have been studied immensely for their effect on humans. The efficacy of the compound has been reported to be significantly higher on viral hepatitis and immune deficiency syndrome. This review provides up-to-date data on the most widely investigated Glycyrrhiza species for food and medicinal purposes, with special emphasis on secondary metabolites' composition and bioactive effects.
Brain and neuronal circuits constitute the most complex organ networks in human body. They not only control and coordinate functions of all other organs, but also represent one of the most-affected systems with stress, lifestyle and age. With global increase in aging populations, these neuropathologies have emerged as major concern for maintaining quality of life. Recent era has witnessed a surge in nutritional remediation of brain dysfunctions primarily by “nutraceuticals” that refer to functional foods and supplements with pharmacological potential. Specific dietary patterns with a balanced intake of carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and micronutrients have also been ascertained to promote brain health. Dietary herbs and their phytochemicals with wide range of biological and pharmacological activities and minimal adverse effects have gained remarkable attention as neuro-nutraceuticals. Neuro-nutraceutical potentials of herbs are often expressed as effects on cognitive response, circadian rhythm, neuromodulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that are mediated by effects on gene expression, epigenetics, protein synthesis along with their turnover and metabolic pathways. Epidemiological and experimental evidence have implicated enormous applications of herbal supplementation in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. The present review highlights the identification, experimental evidence and applications of some herbs including Bacopa monniera, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Helicteres angustifolia, Undaria pinnatifida, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Vitis vinifera, as neuro-nutraceuticals.
Glycyrrhizin (GL), an important active ingredient of licorice root, which weakens the proinflammatory effects of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) by blocking HMGB1 signaling. In this study, we investigated whether GL could suppress inflammation and carcinogenesis in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced murine model of colorectal cancer. ICR mice were divided into four groups (n = 5, each)—control group, GL group, colon cancer (CC) group, and GL-treated CC (CC + GL) group, and sacrificed after 20 weeks. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The colonic tissue samples were immunohistochemically stained with DNA damage markers (8-nitroguanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxy-guanosine), inflammatory markers (COX-2 and HMGB1), and stem cell markers (YAP1 and SOX9). The average number of colonic tumors and the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the CC + GL group were significantly lower than those in the CC group. The levels of all inflammatory and cancer markers were significantly reduced in the CC + GL group. These results suggest that GL inhibits the inflammatory response by binding HMGB1, thereby inhibiting DNA damage and cancer stem cell proliferation and dedifferentiation. In conclusion, GL significantly attenuates the pathogenesis of AOM/DSS-induced colorectal cancer by inhibiting HMGB1-TLR4-NF-κB signaling.
The liquorice genus, Glycyrrhiza L. (Leguminosae), is a medicinal herb with great economic importance and an intriguing intercontinental disjunct distribution in Eurasia, North Africa, the Americas, and Australia. Glycyrrhiza, along with Glycyrrhizopsis Boiss. and Meristotropis Fisch. & C.A.Mey., comprise Glycyrrhiza s.l. Here we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history in Glycyrrhiza s.l. using sequence data of whole chloroplast genomes. We found that Glycyrrhiza s.l. is sister to the tribe Wisterieae and is divided into four main clades. Clade I, corresponds to Glycyrrhizopsis and is sister to Glycyrrhiza sensu Meng. Meristotropis is embedded within Glycyrrhiza sensu Meng, and these two genera together form Clades II–IV. Based on biogeographic analyses and divergence time dating, Glycyrrhiza s.l. originated during the late Eocene and its most recent common ancestor (MRCA) was distributed in the interior of Eurasia and the circum-Mediterranean region. A vicariance event, which was possibly a response to the uplifting of the Turkish-Iranian Plateau, may have driven the divergence between Glycyrrhiza sensu Meng and Glycyrrhizopsis in the Middle Miocene. The third and fourth main uplift events of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau may have led to rapid evolutionary diversification within Glycyrrhiza sensu Meng. Subsequently, the MRCA of Clade II might have migrated to North America (G. lepidota) via the Bering land bridge during the early Pliocene, and reached temperate South America (G. astragalina) by long-distance dispersal (LDD). Within Clade III, the ancestor of G. acanthocarpa arrived at southern Australia through LDD after the late Pliocene, whereas all other species (the SPEY clade) migrated to the interior of Eurasia and the Mediterranean region in the early Pleistocene. The MRCA of Clade IV was restricted in the interior of Eurasia, but its descendants have become widespread in temperate regions of the Old World Northern Hemisphere during the last million years.
Coloring and flavoring agents are now extensively used in the preparation of drugs, cosmetics and processing of food items, and are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration to ensure safety. Coloring and flavoring agents that are mostly used for the aesthetic purpose have a great impact on food and drug industries. These agents make the food and drugs in a form that looks better and impart the pleasant taste. The synthetic food colorants and flavors have been used, because of their least price and high stability. With time, the toxicity produced by many of the synthetic dyes is identified widely. Thus, there is an increasing demand for natural resources, particularly regarding colors and flavors, where synthetic agents are replaced with naturally derived alternatives. This chapter deals with different coloring and flavoring agents of the natural origin.
The substantial discrepancy between the strong effects of functional foods and various drugs, especially traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), and the poor bioavailability of these substances remains a perplexing problem. Understanding the gut microbiota, which acts as an effective bioreactor in the human intestinal tract, provides an opportunity for the redefinition of bioavailability. Here, we discuss four different pathways associated with the role of the gut microbiota in the transformation of parent compounds to beneficial or detrimental small molecules, which can enter the body’s circulatory system and be available to target cells, tissues, and organs. We further describe and propose effective strategies for improving bioavailability and alleviating side effects with the help of the gut microbiota. This review also broadens our perspectives for the discovery of new medicinal components.
Background
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in fibrosis, chronic inflammation, tumor metastasis, etc. Glycyrrhizin, an active component extracted from licorice plant, has been reported to treat a variety of inflammatory reactions through inhibiting high-mobility group box1 (HMGB1), which has been suggested to be a significant mediator in EMT process. However, whether glycyrrhizin affects the EMT process or not remains unclear.
Methods
Human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 and normal human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B were treated with extrinsic TGF- β 1 to induce EMT. Elisa was used to detect HMGB1 concentrations in cell supernatant. RNA interference and lentivirus infection experiments were performed to investigate the involvement of HMGB1 in EMT process. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the viability of A549 and BEAS-2B cells treated with glycyrrhizin. Finally, the effects of glycyrrhizin on EMT changes, as well as the underlying mechanisms, were evaluated via Western blot, immunofluorescence and transwell assays.
Results
Our results showed that HMGB1 expression was increased by TGF- β 1, and knockdown of HMGB1 expression reversed TGF- β 1-induced EMT in A549 and BEAS-2B cells. Ectopic HMGB1 expression or TGF- β 1 treatment caused a significant increase in HMGB1 release. Notably, we found that glycyrrhizin treatment effectively suppressed TGF- β 1-induced EMT process by inhibiting HMGB1. Also, glycyrrhizin significantly inhibited the migration of both A549 and BEAS-2B cells promoted by TGF- β 1. Mechanistically, HMGB1 overexpression could activate Smad2/3 signaling in A549 and BEAS-2B cells. Glycyrrhizin significantly blocked the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 stimulated either by TGF- β 1 or by ectopic HMGB1 in A549 and BEAS-2B cells.
Conclusions
HMGB1 is a vital mediator of EMT changes induced by TGF- β 1 in lung epithelial cells. Importantly, glycyrrhizin can effectively block Smad2/3 signaling pathway through inhibiting HMGB1, thereby suppressing the EMT progress.
The aim of this paper is to illustrate the origin and composition of a collection of 192 plant drugs, based on archival documents from 1932 to 1940. This unique collection was produced in 1937 by the pharmaceutical company “Carlo Erba” of Milan at the request of prof. Giuseppe Catalano, director of the Botanical Institute in Portici. The 192 plant drugs, coming from almost all continents, belong to 78 botanical families among which the Asteraceae with 17 species and the Fabaceae with 15 species are the most represented. Twenty-eight of them are classified as poisonous even if used for a long time in the Italian and European pharmacopoeia. One hundred eleven plant samples from the collection were already known as plant remedies and described in two ancient books in the Historical Library of the Orazio Comes Botanical Museum, dedicated to medicinal plants: the first dated 1585 and the second dated 1712. Among the many plant species that make it up, 13 of them have been selected for their anticancer effect which has either been known since long or is currently being studied.
Liver diseases related complications represent a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, creating a substantial economic burden. Oxidative stress, excessive inflammation, and dysregulated energy metabolism significantly contributed to liver diseases. Therefore, discovery of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of liver diseases are urgently required. Licorice is one of the most commonly used herbal drugs in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of liver diseases and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Various bioactive components have been isolated and identified from the licorice, including glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritigenin, Isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone A, and glycycoumarin. Emerging evidence suggested that these natural products relieved liver diseases and prevented DILI through multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms, including anti-steatosis, anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, immunoregulation, anti-fibrosis, anti-cancer, and drug-drug interactions. In the current review, we summarized the recent progress in the research of hepatoprotective and toxic effects of different licorice-derived bioactive ingredients and also highlighted the potency of these compounds as promising therapeutic options for the treatment of liver diseases and DILI. We also outlined the networks of underlying molecular signaling pathways. Further pharmacology and toxicology research will contribute to the development of natural products in licorice and their derivatives as medicines with alluring prospect in the clinical application.
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