Phytochemistry and biological properties of glabridin

Abstract

Glabridin, a prenylated isoflavonoid of G. glabra L. roots (European licorice, Fabaceae), has been associated with a wide range of biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, regulation of energy metabolism, estrogenic, neuroprotective, anti-osteoporotic, skin-whitening. While glabridin is one of the most studied licorice flavonoids, a comprehensive literature survey linked to its numerous bioactivities is unavailable. The present review provides a comprehensive description of glabridin as a key chemical and biological marker of G. glabra, by covering both its phytochemical characterization and reported biological activities. Both glabridin and standardized licorice extracts have significant impact on food, dietary supplements (DSs) and cosmetic markets, as evidenced by the amount of available patents and scientific articles since 1976, when glabridin was first described. Nevertheless, a thorough literature survey also reveals that information about the isolation and chemical characterization of this important marker is scattered and less detailed than expected. Accordingly, the first part of this review gathers all analytical and spectroscopic data required for the comprehensive phytochemical characterization of glabridin. The four most frequently described and most relevant bioactivities of glabridin are its anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, estrogenic-like effects, and its capacity to regulate energy metabolism. While all bioactivities reported for glabridin belong to a wide array of targets, its principal biological properties are likely interconnected. To this end, the current state of the literature suggests that the biological activity of glabridin mainly results from its capacity to down-regulate intracellular reactive oxygen species, bind to antioxidant effectors, and act on estrogen receptors, potentially as a plant-based Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (phytoSERM).

Galloyl-RGD as a new cosmetic ingredient

“…A number of recent studies have found that the functions of natural products depend on constituent phytochemicals [17-22]. …”

Effects of herbal multicomponent dietary supplement in experimental pneumonia

“…Extracts of Inula helenium [14], Recuitta chamomile [5]) and Liquorice [15] were reported to increase cellular glucose uptake. Stimulation of glucose uptake and mitochondrial enzyme activity both improve ATP synthesis and ameliorate recovery of inflamed tissue.…”

“…Increased levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ2 and reactivation of insulin-mediated phosphorylation of phosphatidyl inositide 3-kinases and AMP-activated protein kinase were described as an effect from extract introduction of 3 items; Inula helenium [14], Recuitta chamomile [5] and Liquorice [15]. Adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase was shown to regulate diverse metabolic pathways and to increase mitochondrial activity.…”

Licorice cream promotes full-thickness wound healing in Guinea pigs

“…Pharmaceutical therapeutic properties, such as antifungal [11] and antimicrobial [12] efficacy, antiviral and antitumoral activity [13], anti-bacterial [14], antioxidant [15], antiulcer [16] have been reported in the numerous articles, that are only some of possible therapeutic properties. The main biologically active components of licorice include: triterpene saponins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, chalcones and glycyrrhizic acid which are responsible for the observed activities [17,18]. G. glabra is a medicinal plant that abundantly used in ancient times for treat bacterial and fungal infections but so far only one study reported the wound healing activity of this plant on full-thickness dermal wound in rat model [19].…”