Licorice: From Pseudohyperaldosteronism to Therapeutic Uses

Abstract

Licorice has been used as a medicinal plant from 2.500 years. It shows a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory actions. One of its most known effects is the induction of hypertension, and it can induce what appears to be pseudohyperaldosteronism, due to glycyrrhetinic acid, the main active component of the root. Glycyrrhetinic acid and metabolites block the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and also bind mineralocorticoid receptors directly, acting as agonists. However, other interesting therapeutic uses of licorice are linked to its anti-androgen and estrogen-like activity, especially in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in conjunction with spironolactone therapy. In this brief review, we report the main features and possible therapeutic uses of this ancient plant.

<p>Cardioprotective Effect of Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate Injection Against Myocardial Ischemic Injury in vivo and in vitro: Involvement of Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Regulating Ca²⁺ Homeostasis by L-Type Calcium Channels</p>

“…MAG is one of the important effective ingredients and has good effects in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. 23,24 It is widely used in clinical immunoregulation, the promotion of bilirubin metabolism, the suppression viral hepatitis, improvement of liver function, adjuvant therapy for tumor chemoradiotherapy, and polycystic ovary syndrome, among others. 23,24 In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effects and possible mechanisms of MAG injection on ISO-induced MII.…”

Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae)

“…The protective activity of glycyrrhizin could be associated with its direct interaction at the plasma membrane level, but not due to the mineralocorticoid receptor, which inhibits membrane protein oxidation, and its glucocorticoid activity. These findings indicate that the pseudohyperaldosteronism and inflammatory effects of licorice are associated with its binding to the mineralocorticoid receptor and β-11HSD2 inhibition as well as with its anti-inflammatory and antiartherosclerotic activities that alter cellular membrane fluidity and oxidative stress modifications, and its estrogen-and glucocorticoid-like effects [21].…”

“…For instance, the Glycyrrhiza genus is well known as an 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD2) inhibitor that subsequently inhibits cortisol inactivation, leading to an increase in the mineralocorticoid efficacy or pseudohyperaldosteronism. Pseudohyperaldosteronism of licorice is mainly due to the presence of glycyrrhetinic acid that acts by two different mechanism of actions: either by inhibiting 11β-HSD2, which binds directly to the mineralocorticoid receptor as an agonist, or it can be reversed by coincubation with the mineralocorticoid receptor blocker and spironolactone derivative, canrenone, which was determined by radioreceptor test in human mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) [21]. The inhibitory effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on 11HSD2 occurs even at low serum concentrations, while its binding to mineralocorticoid receptor appears later, after it has been accumulated in the blood.…”

Bioactive Candy: Effects of Licorice on the Cardiovascular System

“…Since the 18th century, the primary use comprises mainly licorice extracts (in pharmacy called Succus liquiritae ) as a flavoring additive in tea, tobacco, candy (Figure 1b) and other sweets, but the licorice root itself ( Liquiritae radix ) is still used as a dietary supplement in some parts of the world [7]. Among people preferring alternative or complementary medicine, historical uses for licorice were revived and are still practiced today [8,9,10].…”