Genus Glycyrrhiza Research Articles

Discovery, Biomanufacture, and Derivatization of Licorice Triterpenoids.

Triterpenoids are the major active constituents of licorice, a well-known traditional medicinal herb. Licorice triterpenoids, represented by glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid, have a high structural diversity and are excellent lead compounds for the development of potent pharmaceuticals. However, their further application can be limited by insufficient activities, low bioavailability, and the presence of side effects, as well as the inefficiency of traditional plant extraction processes for compound production. To address these issues, researchers are focusing on rare triterpenoid components in the genus Glycyrrhiza and developing derivatives to preserve or enhance the original physiological activities with improved bioavailability and reduced side effects. At the same time, synthetic biology offers opportunities to shorten the production cycle, create eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and reduce the cost of producing licorice triterpenoids. Although much progress has been achieved in this field in recent years, there is still a lack of a comprehensive review to summarize the overall characteristics of licorice triterpenoids rather than glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid. Based on this, our review comprehensively outlines the structures, origins, and pharmacological activities of licorice triterpenoids and predicts their pharmacological activities using the drugCIPHER algorithm. Furthermore, this paper reviews the advances and strategies for the biomanufacturing of licorice triterpenoids using synthetic biology methods and outlines the perspectives and structure-activity relationships for the derivatization of licorice triterpenoids. This review provides new insights into the discovery and synthesis of pharmaceuticals derived from natural triterpenes.

Whole-chromosome oligo-painting in licorice unveils interspecific chromosomal evolutionary relationships and possible origin of triploid genome species.

Licorice is one of the most extensively studied medicinal plants in the world, whose roots and rhizomes have long been used as both a sweetener and an essential component in numerous herbal preparations. However, the genus Glycyrrhiza has a complex composition, and the interspecies chromosomal relationships, origin, and evolution are still largely unclear. Here, we develop a set of whole-chromosome painting probes that allowed identification of all eight chromosomes of licorice on same metaphase chromosomes. Comparative chromosome painting analyses in seven different Glycyrrhiza species revealed that the genus Glycyrrhiza maintained extraordinarily conserved chromosomal synteny after about 3-12 million years of divergence. No cytologically visible inter-chromosomal rearrangements were identified in any species. By comparative chromosomal karyotype analyses, we revealed interspecific chromosome evolutionary relationships and dramatic variable chromosomal karyotype after independent divergence and demonstrated that G. prostrate was the most closely related to the ancestral type among the seven Glycyrrhiza species. Furthermore, we also discovered a G. glandulosa seed with distinct triploid-genome for the first time in China, suggesting the existence of a polyploid evolutionary pathway in the genus Glycyrrhiza, which challenges the previous notion that only diploids of licorice existed in nature. This study expands our knowledge of the chromosome evolution of licorice and will lay an important foundation for the genome origin and evolution studies in the genus Glycyrrhiza.

Prediction of the potential distribution area of Glycyrrhiza inflata in China using a MaxEnt model

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin is an important medical plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza. It is one of the key protected plants in China, distributed in the desert areas of southern Xinjiang and Dunhuang of Gansu Province. It has a strong resistance to drought, heat, and salt stresses, and plays a pivotal role in sand fixtion in desert areas. In this study, based on 157 valid distribution records and eight environmental factors including climate factors and altitude, the potential distribution area of G. inflata in the last glacial maximum, middle Holocen, modern, and future (2050) times in China were predicted, using the optimized MaxEnt model and ArcGis 10.2 software. The results showed that the predicted distribution area was highly consistent with the current distribution range, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve was 0.986, indicating that the prediction performance was excellent. The key climatic factors affecting the distribution were precipitation in December and the average annual precipitation. Meanwhile, the suitable area of G. inflata in modern times was 1,831,026 km2, mainly distributed in Turpan-Hami Basin, Tarim Basin, and Dunhuang of Gansu Province, with Lop Nur Town of Xinjiang as the distribution center. In 2050, the potential suitable area forG. inflata in China will be 1,808,090 km2, 250,970 km2 of which will be highly suitable, which is 150,600 km2 smaller than that in modern times, with a reduction rate of 60.0%. Therefore, there is a trend of great reduction in the suitable area of G. inflata. From the last glaciation maximum to the middle Holocene, the geographical distribution center shifted to the southwest margin of the Kumtag Desert, Xinjiang, then later continued to shift to the southwest. This study will provide a basis for understanding the origin and evolution of G. inflata, developing conservation strategies to minimize the impacts of environment change, and utilizing plant resource.

Comparative genomics and phylogenomics of the genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae) based on chloroplast genomes.

Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae) species are rich in metabolites and widely used in medicine. Research on the chloroplast genome of Glycyrrhiza is important for understanding its phylogenetics, biogeography, genetic diversity, species identification, and medicinal properties. In this study, comparative genomics and phylogenomics of Glycyrrhiza were analyzed based on the chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genomes of six Glycyrrhiza species were obtained using various assembly and annotation tools. The final assembled chloroplast genome sizes for the six Glycyrrhiza species ranged from 126,380 bp to 129,115 bp, with a total of 109-110 genes annotated. Comparative genomics results showed that the chloroplast genomes of Glycyrrhiza showed typically lacking inverted repeat regions, and the genome length, structure, GC content, codon usage, and gene distribution were highly similar. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the presence of 69-96 simple sequence repeats and 61-138 long repeats in the chloroplast genomes. Combining the results of mVISTA and nucleotide diversity, four highly variable regions were screened for species identification and relationship studies. Selection pressure analysis indicated overall purifying selection in the chloroplast genomes of Glycyrrhiza, with a few positively selected genes potentially linked to environmental adaptation. Phylogenetic analyses involving all tribes of Fabaceae with published chloroplast genomes elucidated the evolutionary relationships, and divergence time estimation estimated the chronological order of species differentiations within the Fabaceae family. The results of phylogenetic analysis indicated that species from the six subfamilies formed distinct clusters, consistent with the classification scheme of the six subfamilies. In addition, the inverted repeat-lacking clade in the subfamily Papilionoideae clustered together, and it was the last to differentiate. Co-linear analysis confirmed the conserved nature of Glycyrrhiza chloroplast genomes, and instances of gene rearrangements and inversions were observed in the subfamily Papilionoideae.

Isoliquiritigenin attenuates neuroinflammation after subarachnoid hemorrhage through inhibition of NF-κB-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Neuroinflammation contributes to neurological dysfunction in the patients who suffer from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a bioactive component extracted from Genus Glycyrrhiza. This work is to investigate whether ISL ameliorates neuroinflammation after SAH. In this study, intravascular perforation of male Sprague-Dawley rats was used to establish a SAH model. ISL was administered by intraperitoneal injection 6 h after SAH in rats. The mortality, SAH grade, neurological score, brain water content, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability were examined at 24 h after the treatment. Expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, Iba-1, and MPO were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Besides, the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were analyzed by western blot. The experimental data suggested that ISL treatment could ameliorate neurological impairment, attenuate brain edema, and ameliorate BBB injury after SAH in rats. ISL treatment repressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and meanwhile inhibited the expression of Iba-1 and MPO. ISL also repressed NF-κB p65 expression as well as the transport from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In addition, ISL significantly suppressed the expression levels of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. These findings suggest that ISL inactivates NLRP3 pathway by inhibiting NF-κB p65 translocation, thereby repressing the neuroinflammation after SAH, and it is a potential drug for the treatment of SAH.

A Comprehensive Review of Licorice: The Preparation, Chemical Composition, Bioactivities and Its Applications.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) is a medicinal and food homologue of perennial plants derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the legume family. In recent years, the comprehensive utilization of licorice resources has attracted people's attention. It is widely utilized to treat diseases, health food products, food production, and other industrial applications. Furthermore, numerous bioactive components of licorice are found using advanced extraction processes, which mainly include polyphenols (flavonoids, dihydrostilbenes, benzofurans, and coumarin), triterpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and volatile oils, all of which have been reported to possess a variety of pharmacological characteristics, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidepressive, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, antisex hormone, skin effects, anticariogenic, antitussive, and expectorant activities. Thereby, all of these compounds promote the development of novel and more effective licorice-derived products. This paper reviews the progress of research on extraction techniques, chemical composition, bioactivities, and applications of licorice to provide a reference for further development and application of licorice in different areas.

Chemical basis of pregnane X receptor activators in the herbal supplement Gancao (licorice)

Background and aimsThe herbal supplement Gancao, also known as licorice, belongs to the genus Glycyrrhiza and has been used worldwide for its hepatoprotective effect. Recent studies have raised concerns about potential herb-drug interactions associated with Gancao via pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). The current work aimed to determine the phytochemicals in Gancao that activate PXR and induce CYP3A4. MethodsDPX2 cells were used for cell-based PXR reporter assays. The phytochemicals in Gancao extract were identified using a metabolomics approach. The effects of PXR activators identified from in vitro studies were further investigated in PXR- and CYP3A4-humanized mouse models. ResultsGancao was verified to be a PXR-activating herb. Two major phytochemicals in Gancao, glycyrrhizin (GZ) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), did not activate PXR in the cell-based reporter assays. However, glabridin was shown to activate PXR in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo studies confirmed that GZ is not a PXR activator and glabridin is a weak PXR activator. Although GA did not active PXR in vitro, it induced CYP3A4 expression in a PXR-dependent manner in the PXR- and CYP3A4-humanized mice. ConclusionsGZ is not a PXR activator. GA could not activate PXR in cell-based reporter assays but it could activate PXR in vivo. Glabridin is a weak PXR activator. This work provides novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of Gancao-related herb-drug interactions via PXR.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF LICORICE (Glycyrrhiza sp.) - A TRADITIONAL LOCAL HERB FOR THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE

The genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae), with over 30 species, includes plants with abundant medicinal properties that have been prevalently used for a long time in traditional medicine. Today, along with the rapid development of modern medicine, this traditional medicine still plays an important role in the research and development of many new drugs. This report emphasized the contribution of some major components of Cam thao (Licorice), one of the species with multifaceted pharmacological effects and used to produce new drugs. Numerous studies have discovered that Licorice contains important substances that affect the physiological activities of living organisms, such as liquirtin, rhamnoliquirilin, liquiritigenin, prenyllicoflavone A, glucoliquiritin apioside, 1metho-xyphaseolin, shinpterocarpine, shinflavanone, licopyranocoumarin, isoflavone, licoarylcoumarin, glycyrrhizin, and manifold components. In this review, the most recent research results within the last 5 years on the pharmacological effects of Licorice are systemized according to the role of Licorice on nervous, respiratory, digestive, immune, reproductive systems (both male and female) and metabolism. It is predicted that Licorice (Fabaceae) will certainly continue to be the subject of manifold scientific works in the future. The effects that have been interesting in the scientific community recently are: oxidation prevention, memory impairment prevention, weight loss, reproductive function improvement in obese men, and immune system function enhancement in many types of cancer. In addition, previous and ongoing studies have shown that Glycyrrhizin, an active ingredient found in Licorice, is effective against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of its antiviral activity. As a result, Licorice can be considered a promising future herbal medicine vital to individual and community health.

Computational Tools to Expedite the Identification of Potential PXR Modulators in Complex Natural Product Mixtures: A Case Study with Five Closely Related Licorice Species.

The genus Glycyrrhiza, comprising approximately 36 spp., possesses complex structural diversity and is documented to possess a wide spectrum of biological activities. Understanding and finding the mechanisms of efficacy or safety for a plant-based therapy is very challenging, yet it is crucial and necessary to understand the polypharmacology of traditional medicines. Licorice extract was shown to modulate the xenobiotic receptors, which might manifest as a potential route for natural product-induced drug interactions. However, different mechanisms could be involved in this phenomenon. Since the induced herb–drug interaction of licorice supplements via Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is understudied, we ventured out to analyze the potential modulators of PXR in complex mixtures such as whole extracts by applying computational mining tools. A total of 518 structures from five species of Glycyrrhiza: 183 (G. glabra), 180 (G. uralensis), 100 (G. inflata), 33 (G. echinata), and 22 (G. lepidota) were collected and post-processed to yield 387 unique compounds. Visual inspection of top candidates with favorable ligand–PXR interactions and the highest docking scores were identified. The in vitro testing revealed that glabridin (GG-14) is the most potent PXR activator among the tested compounds, followed by licoisoflavone A, licoisoflavanone, and glycycoumarin. A 200 ns molecular dynamics study with glabridin confirmed the stability of the glabridin-PXR complex, highlighting the importance of computational methods for rapid dereplication of potential xenobiotic modulators in a complex mixture instead of undertaking time-consuming classical biological testing of all compounds in a given botanical.

Isolation, Characterization, Pharmacology and Biopolymer Applications of Licorice Polysaccharides: Review.

Licorice is known as “Gan-Cao” in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), belonging to the genus Glycyrrhiza (Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae). It has a long medicinal history and wide applications in China. Polysaccharides of licorice (LPs) are one of the key bioactive components. As herbal polysaccharides attracted increasing interest in the past several decades, their extraction, isolation, structural characterization, pharmacological activities, and medicinal application have been explored extensively. It is worth heeding that the method of extraction and purification effects LPs, apart from specie and origin specificity. This review evaluates the method of extraction and purification and demonstrates its performance in gaining specific composition and its structure-activity relationship, which might lead the readers to a fresh horizon for developing advanced treatment strategies. It is recently reported that the conformation of LPs plays a vital role as biopolymers, such as selenized modification, microencapsulation, nanocomposite, liposome formulation, drug/hydrogel combinations, biosensor device, and synergistic effect with a vaccine. In addition, LPs showed a good thermodynamics profile, as these properties enable them to interact with additional supramolecular interaction by chemical modifications or copolymerization. Functional polymers that are responsive to various external stimuli, such as physical, chemical, and biological signals, are a promising study topic. Thus, LPs are emerging as a new biomaterial that can enhance intended formulation along exerting its inherent medicinal effects. It is hoped that this review will provide a basis for the utilization and further developments of licorice polysaccharides in the vast medium.

The licorice flavonoid isoliquiritigenin attenuates Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced inflammation through Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe genus Glycyrrhiza is a small perennial herb that has been traditionally used to treat many diseases across the world. Licorice (Gancao in Chinese) is the dried root and rhizome of G. glabra, G. uralensis or G. inflata. Licorice plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and is the most frequently used in Chinese herbal formulas. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid extracted from licorice, and has been evaluated for its various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. Excessive and persistent inflammation in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is not conducive to the elimination of Mtb, but contributes to serious pulmonary dysfunction. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of ISL in the Mtb infection. MethodsIn vitro models of Mtb-infected macrophages were established. Murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells and primary peritoneal macrophages were used in this study. Cell viability was determined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The effects of ISL on the secretion levels of interleukin -1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), and interleukin −6 (IL-6) were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were measured by the real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Western blot was used to assess the effects of ISL on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Immunofluorescence assays was used to detected the translocation of phosphorylation of p65 subunit of NF-κB. ResultsIt was revealed that ISL inhibited the secretion of IL-1β and the activation of pore-forming protein (gasdermin D, GSDMD) by suppressing the activation of NLPR3 inflammasome induced by Mtb infection. ISL was also shown to have promising inhibitory effects on inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX2. Regarding the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ISL, it was found that ISL exerted its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. ConclusionISL reduced Mtb-induced inflammation through the Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. ISL might be used as a potential adjuvant drug to treat tuberculosis by adjusting host immune responses.

In Vitro Genotoxicity Assessment from the Glycyrrhiza New Variety Extract

The various species that comprise the genus Glycyrrhiza (Licorice) have long been used as oriental herbal medicines in Asian countries. Wongam (WG), which is a new variety of Glycyrrhiza, was developed in Korea to overcome the limitations of low productivity, environmental restrictions, and an insufficient presence of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritigenin. In this study, we evaluated WG extract’s genotoxicity through an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (AMES) test, an in vitro chromosome aberration test, and an in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. In the AMES test, WG extract at concentrations of up to 5000 µg/plate showed no genotoxicity regardless of S9 mix. No chromosome aberrations appeared after 6 h in 1400 µg/mL WG extract regardless of S9 mix or in 1100 µg/mL WG extract after 24 h without S9 mix. Nor was there a significant increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes to total erythrocytes up to 5000 mg/kg/day for 2 days detected in the micronucleus test. These results confirm that WG extract is safe for use as an herbal medicine, as it precipitates no detectable genotoxic effects.

The genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae family) and its active constituents as protective agents against natural or chemical toxicities.

Licorice is the dried roots and rhizomes of various species of the genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae) that have been used in folk medicine from ancient times. Many important research projects have established several beneficial effects for this medicinal herb, including antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective. Licorice contains important bioactive components, such as glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic, glycyrrhizinic acid), liquiritigenin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid. The protective effects of licorice and its main chemical components against toxins and toxicants in several organs including the brain, heart, liver, kidney, and lung have been shown. In this comprehensive review article, the protective effects of these constituents against natural, industrial, environmental, and chemical toxicities with attention on the cellular and molecular mechanism are introduced. Also, it has been revealed that this plant and its main compounds can inhibit the toxicity of different toxins by the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties as well as the modulation of Inhibitor of kappaB kinase (IKK), Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. More high-quality investigations in both experimental and clinical studies need to firmly establish the efficacy of licorice and its main constituents against toxic agents.

DEVELOPMENT OF FLAVONOIDS QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION METHOD IN GLYCYRRHIZA PALLIDIFLORA HERB (GLYCYRRHIZA PALLIDIFLORA MAXIM.)

The licorice genus (Glycyrrhiza L.) plants are widely used in conventional and traditional medicine in different countries around the world. The genus includes about 15 species, but only three of them - G. glabra, G. uralensis and G. inflata are well studied and included in the Europe and Asia pharmacopoeias. Pale-flowered licorice (Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim.) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the false (not sweet) licorice section (Pseudoglycyrrhiza Krug.), which do not accumulate glycyrrhizin derivatives. This East Asian species grows in the Russian Far East. The distribution area of G. pallidiflora is limited. Only a few of its geographically isolated habitats are known: within the Khabarovsk city, near the Sarapulskoe village (Lower Amur) and in the Primorsky Kray on the Ryabokon Peninsula on the Lake Hanka southeastern coast. The G. pallidiflora successful introduction on the Kemerovo region-Kuzbass territory has been carried out over the past 5 years in the “Apothecary garden” territory of the Kuzbass Botanical Garden of the Institute of Human Ecology, FRC UUH SB RAS, Kemerovo. Currently, the scientific literature contains limited information on the composition and quantitative content of biologically active compounds (BAC) in the aerial part of G. pallidiflora. Therefore, the main task is to conduct phytochemical studies of the main classes of BAC, which have a pronounced pharmacological activity. We have proposed the amount of flavonoids quantitative determination method in the pale-flowered licorice herb, introduced in Kuzbass, by the differential spectrophotometry method, based on aluminum (III) chloride complexation reaction. The flavonoids extraction conditions from raw materials have been studied. They depend on the ethyl alcohol concentration, the plant raw materials grinding degree, the extraction time, and the raw materials and extractants ratio. The optimal extraction conditions were selected and a quantitative determination method was developed. On the base of it was established that the amount of flavonoids content in the herb of pale-flowered licorice (Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim.), in terms of rutin, is from 2.25 ± 0.38% to 2.44 ± 0, 04%. The relative error of the proposed method is ± 3.21%.

Allylic Hydroxylation Activity Is a Source of Saponin Chemodiversity in the Genus Glycyrrhiza.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) produces glycyrrhizin, a valuable triterpenoid saponin, which exhibits persistent sweetness and broad pharmacological activities. In the genus Glycyrrhiza, three species, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza inflata, produce glycyrrhizin as their main triterpenoid saponin, which has a ketone group at C-11. Other Glycyrrhiza species produce mainly oleanane-type saponins, which harbor homoannular or heteroannular diene structures that lack the C-11 ketone. Although the glycyrrhizin biosynthetic pathway has been fully elucidated, the pathway involving saponins with diene structures remains unclear. CYP88D6 from G. uralensis is a key enzyme in glycyrrhizin biosynthesis, catalyzing the sequential two-step oxidation of β-amyrin at position C-11 to produce 11-oxo-β-amyrin. In this study, we evaluated the functions of CYP88D6 homologs from the glycyrrhizin-producing species G. glabra and G. inflata and from the non-glycyrrhizin-producing species Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora and Glycyrrhiza macedonica, using yeast engineered to supply β-amyrin as a substrate. Yeast expressing CYP88D6 homologs from glycyrrhizin-producing species produced 11-oxo-β-amyrin. However, yeast expressing CYP88D6 homologs (such as CYP88D15) from the non-glycyrrhizin-producing Glycyrrhiza species accumulated oleana-9(11),12-dien-3β-ol and oleana-11,13(18)-dien-3β-ol; these diene compounds are non-enzymatic or yeast endogenous enzymatic dehydration derivatives of 11α-hydroxy-β-amyrin, a direct reaction product of CYP88D15. These results suggest that the activities of CYP88D6 homologs, particularly their ability to catalyze the second oxidation, could influence glycyrrhizin productivity and diversify the chemical structures of saponins in Glycyrrhiza plants. A synthetic biological approach to engineer CYP88D15 could enable the production of pharmacologically active saponins with diene structures, such as saikosaponins, whose biosynthetic pathways have yet to be fully characterized.

Chemical constituents and chemotaxonomic study of Glycyrrhiza glabra L

Twenty compounds were obtained from Glycyrrhiza glabra L., which were divided as fatty alcohols (1 and 5), sterols (2, 4 and 8), triterpenes (3, 6 and 7), flavones (9, 12–15), coumarins (10, 11, 19 and 20) and stilbenes (16–18). The chemotaxonomic significance of G. glabra and the other species among Fabaceae was also discussed. As a result, genus Glycyrrhiza may have close relationships with genera Caesalpinia and Dalbergia, and Trib. Galegeae may have close relationships with Caesalpinieae, Desmodieae, Dipterygeae and Millettieae.

Isolations, characterizations and bioactivities of polysaccharides from the seeds of three species Glycyrrhiza

In this paper, polysaccharides from the seeds of three species of genus Glycyrrhiza were extracted to investigate the physicochemical properties, structural characteristics and antioxidant activities. The polysaccharides were composed of xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose with different molar ratio. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of key functional groups of polysaccharides whereas scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the characteristic morphology of different polysaccharides, and thermogravimetric analysis exhibited good thermal stability of all samples. The antioxidant activities of polysaccharides were evaluated in vitro. All the three polysaccharides demonstrated strong reducing power, as well as scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl free radicals. Antioxidant assays indicated that all the polysaccharides have obvious antioxidant activities and possess a potential development and application value in food, cosmetics as well as pharmaceutical industries.

One new Aculus species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae) on Glycyrrhiza glabra from Lorestan province, Iran

During the study on eriophyid mites associated to Fabaceae plants in Naghare village, Lorestan province (Iran), one new Aculus species (Acari: Eriophyidae), A. lorestaniensis sp. nov. , was found on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and herein described and illustrated. This is the first Aculus mites associated to a host plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza .

A new exploration of licorice metabolome.

The roots and rhizomes of licorice plants (genus Glycyrrhiza L.) are commercially employed, after processing, in confectionery production or as sweetening and flavouring agents in the food, tobacco and beer industries. G. glabra, G. inflata and G. uralensis are the most significant licorice species, often indistinctly used for different productions. Licorice properties are directly related to its chemical composition, which determines the commercial values and the quality of the derived products. In order to better understand the characteristics and properties of each species, a chemical characterization of three species of licorice (G. glabra, G. inflata, G. uralensis) is proposed, through an untargeted metabolomic approach and using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The statistical analysis reveals new possible markers for the analyzed species, and provides a reliable identification of a high number of metabolites, contributing to the characterization of Glycyrrhiza metabolome.

Phenolic Compounds from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and their Radical-Scavenging Activity

Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU), a member of the Leguminosae family, is a traditional medicinal herb grown in various parts of the world [1]. This plant has long been used to treat fever, liver ailments, dyspepsia, constipation, gastric ulcer, sore throat, asthma, and bronchitis [2]. In addition, the roots have been extensively used for more than 4000 years as a sweetening and flavoring agent in candies, foods, tobacco products, and toothpastes [3]. Flavonoids and triterpenoid saponins are shown to be the major constituents, which possess pharmacological activities [4]. Among them, flavonoids, such as liquiritin and isoliquiritin, are gaining popularity because of their significant pharmacological activities, including antiulcer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor effects, etc. [5]. However, the free-radical-scavenging activities of phenolic compounds from the ethyl acetate extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis have never been reported. Dried roots from Glycyrrhiza uralensis (18 kg) were extracted with a 10-fold (w/v) volume of methanol by steeping for 3 days at room temperature three times and then filtered. The clarified solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the methanol extract (GUT; 3.50 kg). The extract was then suspended in distilled water (9000 mL) and partitioned successively with ethyl acetate (3000 mL 4), and n-butanol (3000 mL 4) to yield the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction (GUE; 823.7 g), the n-butanol-soluble fraction (GUB; 358.0 g), and the aqueous fraction (GUW; 2.3 kg). The GUE extracts showed better radical-scavenging activity than the other three extracts and were thus subjected to a series of chromatographic techniques such as silica gel (200–300 mesh) and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, PTLC, and prep-HPLC to yield compounds 1–14. Bioassay-guided fractionation and purification of GUE from Glycyrrhiza uralensis afforded 14 phenolic compounds. These compounds were elucidated as licoricidin (1) [6, 7], 1-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbut-2-ene (2) [8], semilicoisoflavone B (3) [9], platyisoflavanone B (4) [10], naringenin (5) [11], glycyrin (6) [2], liquiritigenin (7) [12], gancaonin C (8) [13], glyasperins C (9) [9], glycycoumarin (10) [14], isoliquiritigenin (11) [15], 3,3 ,4,4 -tetrahydroxy-2-methoxychalcone (12) [16], liquiritin (13) [17], and 6 -O-acetylliquiritin (14) [18]. Among the isolates, compounds 2 and 4 were isolated from the genus Glycyrrhiza for the first time. To investigate the beneficial effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis on oxidation, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The antioxidant capacity of the test samples (the extracts and phenolic compounds) were measured by their ability to scavenge the ABTS radical cation and DPPH radical using previously reported methods [19]. Fourteen compounds (1–14), were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by measuring their ability to scavenge ABTS and DPPH free radicals. The SC50 values are given in Table 1. Among all of the compounds tested, 1, 2, 9, and 12 exhibited potent ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Two compounds, 1-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbut-2-ene (2) and tetrahydroxymethoxychalcone (12), showed very strong DPPH radical-scavenging activity. L-Ascorbic acid was used as a positive control. Based on their SC50 values, the ABTS radical-scavenging activity of the compounds in descending order was as follows: 12 > 2 > 9 > 1 > L-ascorbic acid (reference) > 4 > 6 > 3 > 10 >11 > 8 >7, while the descending order of the DPPH radical-scavenging activity of the compounds was as follows: 12 > 2 > L-ascorbic acid (reference) > 10 > 1 > 9 > 4.