LICORICE - MULETHI (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) Medication in Human Health

Abstract

Muhammad Arshad Ullah, Ali Hassan and Ameer Hamza

Glycyrrhizin is responsible for demulcent action of liquorice. Liquiritin apioside, an active compound present in the methanolic extract of liquorice which inhibits capsaicin induced cough. Ethanolic extract of G. glabrawas found to be responsible for inhibition of 35.62% SO2gas induced cough. High content of phenolic component in ethanolic extract of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L) is responsible for its powerful antioxidant activity by means of significant free radical scavenging, hydrogen donating, metal ion chelating, and anti-lipid peroxidative and reducing abilities. The liquorice extract can be efficiently used to formulate cosmetic products for the protection of skin and hair against oxidative damage. Liquiritin present in liquorice extract disperse melanin, thereby inducing skin lightening. The antioxidants present in extract contribute to decrease in skin melanin content. The inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme and reduction in enzyme activity is caused due to modification of action site of the enzyme. Due to good tyrosinase inhibition activity, liquorice extract can be used to formulate cosmetic formulations with depigmenting activity. Ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra is showed the improvement in the viscoelastic and hydration properties of the skin. Synergistic effect of UV protective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of liquorice extract might be responsible for giving beneficial effects on skin.

Antiviral activities of ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin, mycophenolic acid and glycyrrhizin proved that glycyrrhizin was the most efficient in controlling viral replication. Thus, it can be a good prophylactic measure. Glycyrrihizic acid down- regulates the expression of latency associated nuclear antigen (LANA) in B lymphocytes. This causes natural cell death (apoptosis) of the KSHV virus. Glabridin was found to be the active compound giving anti-fungal activity. In traditional medicine, liquorice has been recommended as a prophylactic agent for gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is employed in dyspepsia as an anti-inflammatory agent during allergenic reactions. It is used as a contraceptive, laxative, anti-asthmatic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, and antiviral agent in folk therapy. Glycyrrhiza roots are useful for treating cough because of its demulcent and expectorant property. It is also effective against anemia, gout, sore throat, tonsillitis, flatulence, sexual debility, hyperdypsia, fever, skin diseases, and swellings. Liquorice is effectively used in acidity, leucorrhoea, bleeding, jaundice, hiccough, hoarseness, bronchitis, vitiated conditions of Vata dosha, gastralgia, diarrhea, fever with delirium and anuria. Effectiveness of glycyrrhizin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis is proved.

Phytochemical analysis of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract showed that it contains saponin triterpenes (glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid and liquirtic acid), flavonoids (liquirtin, isoflavonoids and formononetin) and other constituents such as coumarins, sugars, amino acids, tannins, starch, choline, phytosterols and bitter principles. Glycyrrhizin is habitually used as a vehicle in orally administered products, where it inhibits the growth of some bacteria, as well as dental plaque formation. In regards to its antibacterial action, inhibitory effects for licorice aqueous and ethanolic extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes cultures, the first one showing the strongest inhibition with 10-15mm halo diameters.

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