Exploring the Pivotal Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Potentials of Glycyrrhizic and Glycyrrhetinic Acids

Abstract

Licorice extract is a Chinese herbal medication most often used as a demulcent or elixir. The extract usually consists of many components but the key ingredients are glycyrrhizic (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). GL and GA function as potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor agents, and immuneregulators. GL and GA have potent activities against hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, vesicular stomatitis virus, herpes simplex virus, influenza A, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, vaccinia virus, and arboviruses. Also, GA was observed to be of therapeutic valve in human enterovirus 71, which was recognized as the utmost regular virus responsible for hand, foot, and mouth disease. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of GL and GA is realized via cytokines like interferon-γ, tumor necrotizing factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17. They also modulate anti-inflammatory mechanisms like intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 and P-selectin, enzymes like inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B, signal transducer and activator of transcription- (STAT-) 3, and STAT-6. Furthermore, DCs treated with GL were capable of influencing T-cell differentiation toward Th1 subset. Moreover, GA is capable of blocking prostaglandin-E2 synthesis via blockade of cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 resulting in concurrent augmentation nitric oxide production through the enhancement of iNOS2 mRNA secretion in Leishmania-infected macrophages. GA is capable of inhibiting toll-like receptors as well as high-mobility group box 1.

Effects of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate on wound healing

“…Glycyrrhiza glabra L., known as licorice, has shown nutritional and pharmacological properties especially assigned to glycyrrhizin 11 . Another isolated compound, the glycyrrhizic acid (GA), has been used regarding its antitumor, antiallergic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties [12][13][14] . Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DPG), a secondary product of GA, has antiallergic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects similar to the corticosteroids' ones, but without side effects, as skin allergic reactions 15,16 .…”

Progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Respiratory Viruses: A Review

“…IFN is a broad-spectrum antiviral glycoprotein, which acts as a trigger, regulator, and effector of the immune system to participate in many physiological responses in virus infection ( Malmgaard, 2004 ), and it is the most important cytokine ( Richard, 2021 ). QFPDD upregulates the expression of IFN and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), and acts on the early stage of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection ( Wang et al, 2021a ).…”

Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate Prevents Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by High Glucose in SH-SY5Y Cell Line and Counteracts Neuropathic Pain in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

“…Glycyrrhizin has long been known as a compound with many biological effects: antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antianaphylaxis, antioxidant, immunoregulatory, membrane stabilization, antiviral, and anticancer activities [4]. In particular, the anti-inflammatory activity of glycyrrhizic acid has been well studied; several in vitro studies have shown that glycyrrhizic acid can inhibit the production of the most proinflammatory cytokine such as TNF-α, interleukins IL-1β, and IL-6 [5]. Sun et al showed that glycyrrhizic acid inhibits the synthesis of nitric oxide and some inflammatory cytokines in microglial cells treated with LPS [6].…”