Pharmacological Perspective of Glycyrrhiza glabraLinn.: a Mini-Review

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (Family: Fabaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant used in various ancient medicine systems and documented across the globe for its ethanopharmacological value to cure varieties of ailments. Glycyrrhizin is the major active constituent obtained from liquorice roots, one of the most widely used in herbal preparations for the treatment and management of chronic diseases. The present mini-review is focused mainly on major secondary metabolites, ethnopharmacology and potential medicinal uses of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The sources for the literature search were PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciFinder and Google Scholar. Reported pharmacological activities, characterized secondary metabolites and traditional uses of Glycyrrhiza glabra warrants its potential therapeutic uses. However, further scientific validations along with evidence- based studies are still required in support to its traditional uses, to serve as “lead” for development of novel agents and a better drug candidate in future.