Therapeutic Potential of Widely Used Unani Drug Asl-Us-Soos (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.): A Systematic Review

Abstract

Plants have been one of the important sources of therapeutics or other human health benefits since the beginning of human civilization throughout history. Currently, there is increasing awareness and general acceptability of the use of herbs, as a medicines, health products, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics etc. Traditional system of medicine including Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha etc. contributed in Health care dealing worldwide. The Unani system of medicine (USM) is an age old system of medicine which has a holistic approach to treat various kind of disease; most of the time the drugs mentioned in this system has tremendous effects in chronic disease.
 Asl-Us-Soos (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn), is a widely used herb in USM. Although the review articles on this plant are already published, this review article is presented to comply all the updated information on its therapeutic potency based on phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities and the potency which is described by renowned Unani physicians and scholars. The evidence based studies provides strengthen to the concept of Unani physicians as the Unani physician used and recommended the drug since along. Moreover the evidence based studies indicate that Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, antimalarial, antispasmodic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, antimycobacterial activity, antiinflammatory and anti-hyper glycemic properties. Various other effects like antiulcer, antiviral, antihepatotoxic, antifungal and herpes simplex have also been studies. These results are very encouraging and indicate that this Unani drug can be studies more extensively with a well-planned and systematic scientific preclinical and clinical approach to explore the promising outcome. Further this review gives an account of the current knowledge on the morphological characters, microscopic characters, phytochemistry, and pharmacological actions present in root of Glycyrrhiza glabra along with its actions and therapeutic potential in the perspective of USM.
 Keywords: Glycyrrhiza glabra, therapeutic potential, USM

Phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, and potential health benefits of Glycyrrhiza glabra

“…Glabridin prevents glucose intolerance and ensures maximum glucose utilization by translocation of GLUT-4 using Adenosine Mono Phosphate Protein Kinase AMPK [56]. Glycyrrhizin enhances the level of glycohaemoglobin, cholesterol, and triglyceride by reducing serum insulin level and pancreatic islet cell numbers [14]. Thus, licorice can play a crucial role in insulin resistance-related illnesses.…”

“…The methanolic extract was found to be a potent anti-oxidant with a maximum scavenging effect of 67.22% at a concentration of 500 μg/ml [120]. The IC 50 calculated for it was 359.45 μg/ml [14]. Phenolic contents present in the ethanolic extracts such as glabridin, hispaglabridin A, and 30-hydroxy-40-methylglabridin-all have anti-oxidant activity through free radical scavenging, hydrogen-donating, metal ion chelating, and reducing abilities.…”

“…Each of the subsidiary roots is about 1.25 cm long [12]. The licorice root is thick and it has multiple branches that are red or lemon color outside and yellowish or pale yellow color inside [14]. The bark of the roots and rhizomes is brownish green to dark brown [15].…”

Phytotherapy of Gastric Ulcer (Literature Review)

“…Glycyrrhiza glabra has been shown to inhibit SOG-2 [219] Glycyrrhizin has shown steroid-like antiinflammatory activity similar to hydrocortisone due to its inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity[220]. Hashem A. et al [20] showed that licorice was more effective and safer than ranitidine in wound healing. Licorice shows strong anti-ulcer activity and has been shown to be safer in liver and kidney function compared to the standard commercial drug.…”

Rubia cordifolia (Manjishtha): A review based upon its Ayurvedic and Medicinal uses

“…(1,2) These plants are considered as ecological health marker. (3,4) The drugs derived from medicinal plants are known as herbal drugs or phytomedicines which have been used for treating several health related problems since ancient times. (5) The principal phytochemicals of medicinal plants are alkaloids, phenols, tannins and flavonoids which are associated with several therapeutic properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, hepatoprotective, analgesic etc.…”