Glycyrrhizic Acid in the Treatment of Liver Diseases : Literature Review

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a triterpene glycoside found in the roots of licorice plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra). GA is the most important active ingredient in the licorice root, and possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. GA coupled with glycyrrhetinic acid and 18-beta-glycy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioMed research international 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-15
Main Authors: Li, Jian-yuan, Cao, Hong-yan, Liu, Ping, Cheng, Gen-hong, Sun, Ming-yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use
Apoptosis
Cancer
Cancer therapies
China
Chinese medicine
Clinical medicine
Clinical trials
Colleges & universities
Drugs, Chinese Herbal - chemistry
Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use
Glycyrrhetinic Acid - chemistry
Glycyrrhetinic Acid - therapeutic use
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Humans
Japan
Kinases
Literature reviews
Liver
Liver diseases
Liver Diseases - drug therapy
Medicine, Chinese
Plants, Medicinal - chemistry
Review
Rodents
Viruses
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Summary:Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a triterpene glycoside found in the roots of licorice plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra). GA is the most important active ingredient in the licorice root, and possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. GA coupled with glycyrrhetinic acid and 18-beta-glycyrrhetic acid was developed in China or Japan as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiallergic drug for liver disease. This review summarizes the current biological activities of GA and its medical applications in liver diseases. The pharmacological actions of GA include inhibition of hepatic apoptosis and necrosis; anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory actions; antiviral effects; and antitumor effects. This paper will be a useful reference for physicians and biologists researching GA and will open the door to novel agents in drug discovery and development from Chinese herbs. With additional research, GA may be more widely used in the treatment of liver diseases or other conditions.
ISSN:2314-6133
2314-6141
DOI:10.1155/2014/872139