Pharmacological mechanisms of Glycyrrhiza glabra in peptic ulcer: a systems biology and experimental approach

Abstract

Background: Glycyrrhiza Glabra Linn (GG), known as Yashtimadhu in Ayurveda, is traditionally used for managing Parinam Shula (peptic ulcer). Despite its known therapeutic benefits, its molecular mechanisms remain unexplored. This study investigates GG's pharmacological action using computational approaches like network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Methods: Bioactive compounds of GG were retrieved from IMPPAT, TCMSP, and TCM databases. Predicted targets were obtained from Swiss Target Prediction and STITCH, while PU-related targets were collected from DisGeNet, OMIM, and Gene Cards. Common targets between GG and PU underwent GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, and networks were visualized using Cytoscape 3.10.1. Molecular docking and In Vitro studies were conducted for validation.

Results: Network analysis identified 29 phytochemicals and 157 common GG-PU target genes. Key hub genes, including IL6, TP53, AKT1, STAT3 and TNF, were involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and tissue repair. Pathway enrichment suggested GG's anti-PU effects via the PI3K-Akt pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities, supported by In Vitro studies.

Conclusion: GG exerts anti-PU effects through multi-target interactions, particularly via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Quercetin is the major phytoconstituent showing interactions with multiple PU-related targets and exhibited the highest binding affinity. However, further in vivo and clinical studies are required to validate its full therapeutic potential.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-025-00429-y.

Keywords: Glycyrrhiza glabra; Molecular docking; Network pharmacology; Peptic ulcer; Yashtimadhu.