Abstract
The recent resurgence of traditional medicines, driven by a renewed interest in the medicinal use of plant extracts, has garnered significant scientific attention for their therapeutic efficacy in treating a wide range of diseases. Glycyrrhiza species, commonly known as licorice, are widely recognized both as herbal remedies and as natural sweeteners. Among these, Glycyrrhiza uralensis stands out for its exceptional therapeutic potential, particularly in enhancing muscle regeneration, slowing muscle aging, and promoting skeletal muscle myogenesis. This review explores the traditional uses and biological effects of G. uralensis, highlighting the biological significance of its bioactive constituents, such as saponins and flavonoids. The hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiobesity, anti-inflammatory, skeletal muscle-enhancing and cardiovascular effects of G. uralensis are reviewed, along with its toxicity and safety profile. Additionally, we propose directions for future clinical and scientific investigations, advocating for using G. uralensis as a natural therapeutic agent. The primary aim of this review is to contribute to the incorporation of this ancient medicine into modern clinical practice.
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Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Education (2020R1A6A1A03044512), the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). This work was also supported by the 2020 Yeungnam University Research Grant.
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Shaikh, S., Ahmad, K., Lim, J.H. et al. Biological insights and therapeutic potential of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and its bioactive compounds: an updated review. Arch. Pharm. Res. 47, 871–892 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-024-01522-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-024-01522-0