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Review
. 2021 Jul 24:2021:7571132.
doi: 10.1155/2021/7571132. eCollection 2021.

Glycyrrhiza Genus: Enlightening Phytochemical Components for Pharmacological and Health-Promoting Abilities

Javad Sharifi-Rad  1 , Cristina Quispe  2 , Jesús Herrera-Bravo  3   4 , Lisandra Herrera Belén  5 , Rajandeep Kaur  6 , Dorota Kregiel  7 , Yadav Uprety  8 , Ahmet Beyatli  9 , Balakyz Yeskaliyeva  10 , Celale Kırkın  11 , Beraat Özçelik  12   13 , Surjit Sen  14   15 , Krishnendu Acharya  14 , Farukh Sharopov  16 , Natália Cruz-Martins  17   18   19 , Manoj Kumar  20 , Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis  21   22 , Usman Sunusi  22   23 , Ramla Muhammad Kamal  22   24 , Shabnum Shaheen  25 , Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria  26
Affiliations
Review

Glycyrrhiza Genus: Enlightening Phytochemical Components for Pharmacological and Health-Promoting Abilities

Javad Sharifi-Rad et al. Oxid Med Cell Longev. .

Abstract

The Glycyrrhiza genus, generally well-known as licorice, is broadly used for food and medicinal purposes around the globe. The genus encompasses a rich pool of bioactive molecules including triterpene saponins (e.g., glycyrrhizin) and flavonoids (e.g., liquiritigenin, liquiritin). This genus is being increasingly exploited for its biological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The species Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and the compound glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) have been studied immensely for their effect on humans. The efficacy of the compound has been reported to be significantly higher on viral hepatitis and immune deficiency syndrome. This review provides up-to-date data on the most widely investigated Glycyrrhiza species for food and medicinal purposes, with special emphasis on secondary metabolites' composition and bioactive effects.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
World map showing the major countries producing Glycyrrhiza spp.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagram showing various components discussed in the review.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizinic acid) structure.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structures of the main components reported in Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chemical structures of the main components reported in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Various biological activities of the Glycyrrhiza species extract discussed in this study are presented in the diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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