Glycyrrhiza glabra linn commonly known as licorice: A therapeutic review

Abstract

Plants have been one of the important sources of medicines since the beginning of human cultivation. There is a growing demand for plant based medicines, health products, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics etc. Glycyrrhiza glabra used as mild laxative, anti-arthritic, antiinflammatory,anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-ulcer, memory stimulant (being MAOinhibitor), anti-tussive, aphrodisiac, anti-mycotic, estrogenic, anti- oxidant, anti-caries agent, anti-neoplastic, anti-cholinergic, anti-diuretic, hypolipidemic agent. It is reported to contain important phytoconstituents such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid, glabrin A&B, glycyrrhetol, glabrolide, isoglabrolide, isoflavones,coumarins, triterpene sterols. A review of chemical constituents present in various parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra and their pharmacological actions is given in the present article.