Abstract
Licorice extract is a Chinese herbal medication most often used as a demulcent or elixir. The extract usually consists of many components but the key ingredients are glycyrrhizic (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). GL and GA function as potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor agents, and immuneregulators. GL and GA have potent activities against hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, vesicular stomatitis virus, herpes simplex virus, influenza A, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, vaccinia virus, and arboviruses. Also, GA was observed to be of therapeutic valve in human enterovirus 71, which was recognized as the utmost regular virus responsible for hand, foot, and mouth disease. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of GL and GA is realized via cytokines like interferon-γ, tumor necrotizing factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17. They also modulate anti-inflammatory mechanisms like intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 and P-selectin, enzymes like inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B, signal transducer and activator of transcription- (STAT-) 3, and STAT-6. Furthermore, DCs treated with GL were capable of influencing T-cell differentiation toward Th1 subset. Moreover, GA is capable of blocking prostaglandin-E2 synthesis via blockade of cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 resulting in concurrent augmentation nitric oxide production through the enhancement of iNOS2 mRNA secretion in Leishmania-infected macrophages. GA is capable of inhibiting toll-like receptors as well as high-mobility group box 1.
Highlights
Licorice extract is a Chinese herbal medication most often used as a demulcent or elixir [1]
It was established that glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) was capable of blocking prostaglandin-E 2 (PGE2) synthesis via blockade of COX-2 resulting in concurrent augmentation Nitric oxide (NO) production through enhancement of iNOS2 messenger RNA (mRNA) secretion in Leishmania-infected macrophages (Figure 2 and (Table 1) [25]
It was further established that GA was capable of blocking the modulation of JNK, p38 protein, and ERK (Figure 2 and Table 1) in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) [45]
Summary
Licorice extract is a Chinese herbal medication most often used as a demulcent or elixir [1]. GL triggers biological activities at the cellular level via novel gbPs, which are responsible for anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects [5, 8]. Carbenoxolone (GC), the derivative of glycyrrhetinic acid (3β-11-oxoolean-12-en-30oic acid 3-hemisuccinate), was used to treat peptic ulcer disease, allergic diseases, tumors or cancers, divers’ viral diseases, and premenstrual syndromes [4,5,6]. They possess antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antilipidemic, and hepatoprotective properties [4,5,6]. GA has demonstrated to have antiparasitic potentials and its efficacy as an anti-malarial as well as antileishmanial has been elaborated in experimental studies [2, 24, 25]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
